Gary Anderson has unleashed a scathing attack on social media influencers in the darts world, sparking controversy and debate among fans and players alike. The two-time world champion expressed his disdain for "influencers" who claim to know how to play the game but often lack actual skill.
Anderson's comments were made after his first-round win at the World Masters tournament, where he beat Niels Zonneveld 3-2. In his post-match interview, Anderson was asked about his views on social media personalities who claim to be darts experts, and he responded with a mix of sarcasm and frustration.
"I don't watch YouTube, but I'm watching - what do you call them? - influencers," Anderson said. "How to play darts - I've never seen the bloke in my life." He questioned the credibility of these self-proclaimed darts experts, saying they are often "rank at it" and have no real understanding of the game.
Anderson's rant was sparked by the recent announcement that a popular YouTuber, known for his comedy and entertainment content, is considering entering PDC Qualifying School. The influencer, who is a close friend of fellow darts personality Luke Littler, has expressed interest in testing himself against professional players and could potentially win a tour card.
Former pro Matthew Edgar disagrees with Anderson's views, saying that the YouTuber's journey would be beneficial for the sport. "I think it would be good for the game," he said. "If he was to show some progression from where he is now, it will show people that it's a potential avenue and it's an actual journey."
Anderson's comments have ignited a heated debate among fans and players about the role of social media influencers in the darts world. While some see their involvement as a positive force, others share Anderson's skepticism about their credibility and expertise.
The controversy has brought attention to the growing presence of social media personalities in the darts community, with many questioning whether they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how influential figures like Anderson and Edgar will shape its future.
Anderson's comments were made after his first-round win at the World Masters tournament, where he beat Niels Zonneveld 3-2. In his post-match interview, Anderson was asked about his views on social media personalities who claim to be darts experts, and he responded with a mix of sarcasm and frustration.
"I don't watch YouTube, but I'm watching - what do you call them? - influencers," Anderson said. "How to play darts - I've never seen the bloke in my life." He questioned the credibility of these self-proclaimed darts experts, saying they are often "rank at it" and have no real understanding of the game.
Anderson's rant was sparked by the recent announcement that a popular YouTuber, known for his comedy and entertainment content, is considering entering PDC Qualifying School. The influencer, who is a close friend of fellow darts personality Luke Littler, has expressed interest in testing himself against professional players and could potentially win a tour card.
Former pro Matthew Edgar disagrees with Anderson's views, saying that the YouTuber's journey would be beneficial for the sport. "I think it would be good for the game," he said. "If he was to show some progression from where he is now, it will show people that it's a potential avenue and it's an actual journey."
Anderson's comments have ignited a heated debate among fans and players about the role of social media influencers in the darts world. While some see their involvement as a positive force, others share Anderson's skepticism about their credibility and expertise.
The controversy has brought attention to the growing presence of social media personalities in the darts community, with many questioning whether they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how influential figures like Anderson and Edgar will shape its future.
... those YouTubers think they can just waltz in and show off their skills? Please 
. I mean, I've seen them throwing darts on the couch with all sorts of weird angles and stuff, but can they actually compete against the best of the best? Doubt it 
.
. I mean, Matthew Edgar thinks this YouTuber's journey would be good for the game? 
... I don't buy it.
. It's not fair to the fans who actually pay attention to the game 
. If you're just gonna be some rich guy with a YouTube channel 
... well, that's just not gonna cut it 
.
! Gary's totally right, though – most of them don't know the first thing about strategy or technique. I mean, come on, if you can barely hit double 16s at the local pub, how do you expect to compete against the pros? 
. Matthew Edgar's got a point, though – if one of these YouTubers could actually start making progress and learning the game, that'd be awesome 
.
. The thing is, we need people who are passionate about darts and willing to learn, but also not just talking trash without putting in the work 
.
.
. If they're passionate about the sport and can share that with their audience, it could be a win-win for everyone involved 
. Of course, you can't expect them to suddenly become pro players overnight 
, but maybe just having the confidence to give it a shot is what matters.
. I get that Anderson wants to see people who genuinely know what they're doing on the oche, but maybe there's room for everyone to contribute in their own way? 
. Still, it's not hurting anyone to have these personalities around, and who knows, maybe one of them will surprise us and turn out to be the next big thing! 
he's just saying that because his career is being scrutinized and people are expecting him to win all the time, but deep down he's probably worried about himself too 
those youtube guys might be annoying at times but they're still fans at heart 
if edgar thinks they can bring in new life to the sport then i'm all for it 
and I'm literally mesmerized did you know that cats have 32 muscles in each ear? like what even is that?! and speaking of weird facts, I've been meaning to try out this new coffee shop downtown that's supposed to be amazing 
has anyone tried it yet?