Barry and Eddie Hearn have achieved a milestone by exceeding the £1 billion mark through their sports media empire. The duo, consisting of father Barry and son Eddie, are the owners of Matchroom Sports, a company known for its involvement in boxing, snooker, and darts.
In the 1970s, Barry initially ventured into snooker and went on to represent the six-time world champion Steve Davis. Matchroom was established by the 77-year-old Barry in 1982, and his 46-year-old son Eddie has played a significant role in expanding the business, particularly gaining recognition in the boxing realm.
Matchroom has managed renowned athletes such as Frank Bruno, Chris Eubank Sr, and Lennox Lewis, but is most notably associated with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Barry, who also serves as the chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation, has been instrumental in the rise of darts’ popularity and has influenced the world of snooker since acquiring the World Snooker Tour in 2010.
Their accomplishments have translated into substantial wealth, positioning them as the third wealthiest figures in UK sports according to The Sunday Times rich list. With a combined net worth of £1.035 billion, they trail only behind F1 figure Bernie Ecclestone (£2bn) and power couple David and Victoria Beckham (£1.185bn).
Noteworthy on the rich list is F1 driver Sir Lewis Hamilton, who ranks fifth with £435 million, surpassing golfer Rory McIlroy in seventh place with £325 million. Anthony Joshua, the standout client of Matchroom, occupies the eighth spot with an estimated wealth of £240 million, ahead of boxer Tyson Fury in ninth with £162 million. Footballer Harry Kane and tennis legend Sir Andy Murray share the tenth position with fortunes of £110 million each.
While Barry laid the foundation for the Matchroom empire, Eddie has been pivotal in its expansion. Eddie’s ambition and drive are evident in his statement to the Big Issue in 2020, where he credited his success to his father’s influence and his relentless work ethic aimed at surpassing his father’s achievements.
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