John Riordan: Could darts hit the bullseye and break America?

Are we comfortable funnelling blood money into the pockets of the participants whose generally unathletic physiques mean those pockets are somewhat larger than other actual athletes?

Peter Wright competing at the bet365 US Darts Masters in New York Picture: Ed Mulholland (PDC)

It feels like an odd sporting import that shouldn’t work. It’s uniquely popular where already long established and this effort to explore new territory and new markets seems ambitious.

The chief protagonists could even stand accused of chasing the financial clout of a damaging regime whose government is distrusted across the world while heavily influenced by religious doctrine and fundamentalist adherents.