<P> The BDO responded by banning the 16 defectors from all BDO - sanctioned darts events , which included prohibition of remaining BDO affiliated players from even engaging in exhibition matches against any of the defectors . At the BDO 's behest , this was endorsed at a World Darts Federation meeting and became a worldwide sanction . A long - running legal battle followed and ended with a Tomlin order in 1997 . The BDO recognised the WDC and the right of players to choose which organisation they played for . In return , the WDC recognised the World Darts Federation as the governing body of world darts , the BDO as the governing body of UK darts , and renamed itself the Professional Darts Corporation ( PDC ) . </P>
<P> The BDO responded by banning the 16 defectors from all BDO - sanctioned darts events , which included prohibition of remaining BDO affiliated players from even engaging in exhibition matches against any of the defectors . At the BDO 's behest , this was endorsed at a World Darts Federation meeting and became a worldwide sanction . A long - running legal battle followed and ended with a Tomlin order in 1997 . The BDO recognised the WDC and the right of players to choose which organisation they played for . In return , the WDC recognised the World Darts Federation as the governing body of world darts , the BDO as the governing body of UK darts , and renamed itself the Professional Darts Corporation ( PDC ) . </P>
court battle between the bdo and what became the professional darts corporation
court battle between the bdo and what became the professional darts corporation
16 defectors
16 defectors