Rod Harrington explains decision to increase Premier League Darts field to 10 players

So why did we decide to increase the Premier League from eight players to 10 players this year?

The state of the sport

The Premier League will build on the best ever World Championship. The PDC has proved it has got the ranking system right because the players coming through are good hardened professionals. With the enhancement of the Challenge Tour this year to provide the youngsters with a stepping stone, it's only going to get better. I'd also like to pay tribute to the production team at Sky Sports, who do an unbelievable job which makes the sport so appealing to the viewers at home - as well as the players who have done brilliantly this year. We enjoyed a fabulous final with Phil Taylor coming from two sets down on two occasions to beat Michael van Gerwen, the brightest young talent in the game. My admiration for both players is great and I don't think anybody should blow Phil's spat with Raymond van Barneveld out of proportion. The shook hands at the Awards Dinner and we are keeping it in proportion backstage; for those two it's all forgotten. The tournament, overall, couldn't have been much better and I don't think you could have written a better script before it started. The game is in a very healthy state right now. We have a package that certainly works. Premier League Darts kicks off live on Sky Sports on Thursday February 7