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).
court battle between the bdo and what became the professional darts corporation
16 defectors