What is Wayne Mardle’s net worth? A look at how much the Sky Sports darts commentator has made

WAYNE MARDLE is one of the most recognisable figures in the world of darts – not only for his playing career but also his expert analysis and commentary.

Here we take a look at the net worth of the legend nicknamed “Hawaii 501”.

Wayne Mardle is a much-loved commentator and former professional darts player

Who is Wayne Mardle?

Wayne Mardle was born on May 10, 1973, in Dagenham, London.

He goes by the nickname “Hawaii 501” — a play on the TV series Hawaii Five-O — because he started wearing Hawaiian shirts after losing a bet.

Wayne‘s dad taught him to play darts from the age of 11 — he took to it like a fish to water, hitting his first 180 less than a fortnight later.

He went on to win his first competition at the Double Top pub when he had only just turned 13 — on his actual birthday in 1986.

Turning pro

Wayne began his professional darts career in the BDO during the late 1990s, making his Lakeside debut in 2000, losing in the first round.

But just a year later, he made it all the way to the semi-finals of the BDO World Darts Championship.

Wayne joined the PDC in 2003, playing his first of the governing body’s World Darts Championships later that year, losing in the third round to all-time great Phil “The Power” Taylor.

His career highlights include:

• Five-time World Championship semi-finalist: Wayne reached the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship four times and the BDO once.
• Runner-up in three majors: He finished as a runner-up in three PDC major events — the 2003 World Matchplay, and the Las Vegas Classic in both 2004 and 2005 — losing against the legendary Phil Taylor in all three.

On why he stopped playing, Wayne told the Guardian in 2021: “I can honestly say I was fraught with the pressure, with the tension.

“My head was swimming, my arm was tight, my hand was cold, my feet were freezing.

“I don’t want to be that pressurised ever again. And you know what? I absolutely hated it.”

Despite never winning a major title, Wayne’s consistent performances and entertaining approach made him a fan favourite and helped him accumulate some significant prize money throughout his career.

Commentary career

At the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship, Wayne started his commentary career, working alongside Sid Waddell and Dave Clark.

Wayne Mardle began his commentary career in 2011

During the tournament, he also predicted results with the help of Eric Bristow and Rod Harrington.

Wayne has gone on to become a top commentator and pundit for Sky Sports.

He famously produced one of the all-time iconic pieces of commentary during the 2023 PDC World final, when Michael Smith triumphed over Michael van Gerwen.

He could be heard screaming, “I can’t speak” after Van Gerwen missed a nine-darter by the finest of margins — and Smith scored one with his very next visit.

While Wayne’s pay hasn’t been reported, commentators for major networks like Sky Sports can earn substantial salaries, particularly those with his experience and popularity.

Wayne earned his nickname ‘Hawaii 501’ for his propensity to wear Hawaiian shirts

Additional income streams

Wayne’s net worth is supplemented by various income sources beyond commentary:

• Exhibition matches: He frequently participates in exhibition matches, which can be lucrative.
• Sponsorships and endorsements: As a well-known figure in darts, Wayne has sponsorship deals that contribute to his earnings.
• Darts coaching: Wayne has established The Wayne Mardle School of Darts, where he offers coaching to aspiring players.
• Public appearances: His popularity allows him to engage in corporate bookings and public speaking events.
• Podcast: Mardle is also the face of the Club 501 darts podcast which brings in some of the top players from the sport.

Net worth

According to Taddlr, Wayne’s net worth is in the vicinity of £1.2million ($1.5million) as of December 2024.

However, specific details about his assets have not been reported.

This wealth primarily stems from his successful career as a professional darts player and his current role as a commentator for Sky Sports.

As one of the sport‘s most beloved personalities, Wayne continues to engage fans and contribute to the growth of darts through both his commentary work and coaching initiatives.