Leighton Bennett, once considered one of the brightest young talents in darts, has suffered a significant blow to his career after being dropped by his major sponsor, Target Darts. The 18-year-old, who had been hailed as the next big star in the sport, was involved in a match-fixing scandal that has now led to his sponsorship being terminated.
Bennett, who first gained national attention at the age of 13 when he defeated Phil Taylor, had been expected to lead the next generation of darts players alongside Luke Littler. However, his promising career has been overshadowed by a series of controversies. Earlier this year, Bennett faced the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) after being found guilty of fixing four matches. The charges included leaking inside information about fixtures, failing to cooperate with the investigation, and signing a contract with an unregistered manager. These actions led to an eight-year ban from the sport.
Following the ruling, Target Darts, one of the brands that had supported Bennett, made the decision to cut ties with the young player. The company expressed deep disappointment over Bennett’s actions and stated that they fully respected the DRA‘s decision. They issued a statement confirming that his sponsorship contract had been terminated with immediate effect. Target Darts emphasized the importance of integrity, fairness, and respect in the sport, underscoring their commitment to upholding these values.
Bennett had once been seen as a future rival to Luke Littler, another promising darts player, and the two were expected to lead a new wave of talent in the sport. Bennett himself had expressed his desire to build a rivalry with Littler, likening it to the legendary battles between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. He had even mentioned that the idea of facing Littler on the main stage at the UK Open was a thrilling prospect, as he believed their matches could draw significant attention from fans.
Unfortunately, Bennett’s career now faces a bleak future. Once a rising star in darts, his involvement in match-fixing has not only resulted in an extended ban but also left him without sponsorship support. The future of Bennett’s career now hinges on his ability to rehabilitate his image and prove he can return to the sport in a legitimate and respected manner. However, the road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging as he works to rebuild trust and regain his place in the competitive darts world.
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