Barry Hearn has announced he is to step down as chairman of World Snooker and the Professional Darts Corporation.
Steve Dawson will take over from the 72-year-old as chair of World Snooker following this year's World Championship at the Crucible while Hearn's son Eddie will succeed him at the PDC and golf's PGA EuroPro Tour.
Boxing promoter Eddie (41) takes over as chairman of the Matchroom Sport Group his father founded as Hearn senior steps aside to take up an advisory role as president.
Barry Hearn founded the sports promotions company in 1982 and expanded its reach from snooker into boxing, darts, pool and 10-pin bowling as well as many other sports.
"It has been a huge honour to have worked with some of the greatest sports people on the planet across the last 40 years and enjoyed so many wonderful experiences across our spectrum of events in that time," Barry Hearn, who suffered a heart attack in April 2020, said.
"Great challenges have been met, but none more so than the Covid pandemic. I have been determined to stay in charge until this disaster passed and now there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"I believe it is the right time to pass control of Matchroom to my son Eddie and the brilliant teams we have assembled across all our activities. I know the company is in good hands."
"Now a greater responsibility falls on my shoulders and I am very proud to continue his great work and lead the business and the incredible team that we have built at Matchroom."
