The Kid's Building an Empire (And It's Not Just About Darts)

By Lewis Barnett 3 July, 2025 5 mins read 43 Views

So Luke Littler just turned 18 and he's already thinking like a proper businessman.

While most teenagers are figuring out what to do with their lives, "The Nuke" is out here launching property companies and trademarking his name across multiple countries. I mean, the kid literally became the youngest World Darts Championship winner back in January, and now he's diversifying faster than my investment portfolio during a market crash.

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D16 Property Group - Because Why Not?

Here's where it gets interesting. Littler just launched something called D16 Property Group Ltd, and honestly? The name is brilliant. It's a direct nod to how he won the Worlds - nailing that double 16 against Michael van Gerwen. I remember watching that moment and thinking "this kid's got ice in his veins." Turns out he's got business sense too.

According to the filings (yeah, I actually looked this stuff up), Littler owns the whole thing. His agent Martin Foulds is listed as director, which makes sense - you need someone who knows the ropes when you're 18 and dealing with property investments.

The Trademark Game Goes Global

But wait, there's more. The kid's been busy applying for trademarks in the USA for both his real name and "The Nuke" nickname. Smart move, honestly.

And get this - he wants to slap his name on everything from weightlifting gear to martial arts equipment. Waist trimming exercise belts too, which is... unexpected? But hey, if people will buy it, why not sell it.

Footballs, golf balls, tennis balls, "gymnastic and sporting articles" - basically anything round or sport-related is fair game.

Christmas in July (Literally)

Here's my favorite part though. Artificial Christmas trees and baubles are on his trademark list. Why? Because fans started singing "Walking in a Littler Wonderland" during the World Championship, and this kid saw a business opportunity.

I feel stupid for not thinking of this myself.

The whole thing is pretty genius when you think about it. Most athletes wait until they're established before branching out. Littler's doing it while he's hot, while everyone's still talking about him. Smart timing.

Building Something Bigger

Look, I've seen plenty of young athletes blow through their earnings. What's different about Littler is he seems to understand that his darts career, no matter how successful, won't last forever. The property business, the trademarks, the fitness empire plans - it's all about building something sustainable.

His agent probably deserves some credit here too. Having someone experienced guide these decisions makes a huge difference when you're dealing with this kind of money at 18.

The kid's already made a small fortune at the oche, and now he's positioning himself to make an even bigger one off it. Pretty impressive for someone who was probably worried about A-levels this time last year.

Frequently Asked Questions

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Statistics

The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.

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How To

The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood

I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/james-wades-gas-problem-wont-go-away-and-neither-will-the-dutch-commentary