Last night, I noticed that my Comcast DVR is nearly 90% full. I know the box is small, but there’s definitely a lot of programming I haven’t watched. Most of it is left over from the 2007 World Series of Poker. It’s hard to miss the PartyPoker logos in high definition on each table, but in 2008, you’ll be seeing a new sponsor: Everest Poker. The company recently reached an agreement with Harrah’s Entertainment for logo placement on each of the tournament’s tables. Why Everest Poker? There are many sites out there that don’t accept U.S. players. Stewart comments, “Our first criteria is always passion for the brand. Everest believes in the global power of the WSOP and shares our vision to keep growing the number of foreign competitors. Everest is an organization on the rise, having rapidly expanded their player base in the past two years. They've done so without ever accepting a bet from a U.S. resident.”
Stewart comments on the timeline of the agreement: “We came to a handshake agreement in the very first meeting. After that, it took several weeks to put together a long form that worked for both parties. It’s always an easier process when both parties truly want the deal. Our principal charge is to maximize the value of the assets and feel good about who we're in business with. We're thrilled with the relationship with Everest. We think it will be mutually beneficial.”
In a WSOP press release, Jennifer Joyce, Everest Poker's VP of Marketing, commented: "We are thrilled with this deal, as it will allow us to leverage our access to the WSOP to give our European players the best chance possible to compete at -- and win -- WSOP events in Las Vegas. We have always strived to make poker as accessible as possible to everybody, not just the elite few. The WSOP is the true global standard for poker giving pros a chance at history and amateur players the chance to fulfill their dream by rubbing shoulders with the legends. Our goal is to see a European win the Main Event."
Stewart candidly talks about Everest Poker: “If you haven't heard of Everest Poker before, you will now. If you were aware of Everest, you're likely to perceive them as a bigger force in the industry based in part on this association.”
The multi-year agreement will result in Everest Poker’s name and logo being stamped in the middle of every tournament table, as was the case with PartyPoker in the past. In addition, the company will receive placement on the inner rung of the televised feature table (where the hole card cameras are). The presenting sponsor of the world’s largest live poker tournament will remain Milwaukee’s Best Light. The beer’s logo also appears on the center of each table and is prominently featured in ESPN broadcasts. In addition, big things are in store: “The big story this year will be the marketing activation planned by our partners. Miller will coordinate their biggest-ever WSOP promotion, putting the brand on more than 100,000,000 commemorative cans. Planters Peanuts is executing a national on-pack program which will penetrate thousands of retailers. All of our partners are stepping up in 2008.”
It’s hard to believe that the WSOP kicks off in just two and a half months, with the World Championship Pot-Limit Hold’em event beginning on May 30th. The $10,000 buy in tournament lasts three days. The 2008 WSOP features 55 events, culminating on Thursday, July 3rd, when the $10,000 Main Event kicks off and will run for 13 days. Other highlights include a $50,000 HORSE event, which begins on June 25th, and a $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball with re-buys, which kicks off on June 9th.
If high limit action is what you’re into, look no further than the eight $10,000 buy in events:
• World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em (Event 1)
• World Championship Mixed Event (Event 8)
• World Championship Seven Card Stud (Event 14)
• World Championship Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em (Event 25)
• World Championship Limit Hold'em (Event 30)
• World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (Event 37)
• World Championship Pot Limit Omaha (Event 50)
• World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold'em (Event 54)
Event 54 one is, of course, the Main Event. Start making your plans now. The WSOP is getting close! We hope to see plenty of PocketFivers in the Amazon Room at the Rio in Las Vegas. The full event will be covered on PocketFivesLive.com, which tracks online poker players in the biggest live tournaments.
Check out the full WSOP schedule by clicking here.
Canada
United Kingdom
Costa Rica
Australia
Mexico
Denmark
Russian Federation
Sweden
Brazil
Germany
