WPT Files Answer in Lawsuit vs. Players

[Talking Poker]

This lawsuit was such a very, very bad idea, IMO. Totally needless.

And given the current state of affairs of online poker these days, I don't know why these players would want to draw this type of attention.

[omahilo]

exactly what Negreanu said... plus he said that WPT will look into their taxes, etc... try to do anything they can to run these 7 players credibility into the ground.

[Talking Poker]

Yeah, it could get ugly for them. And in theory, a lot more people too.

[Reel Deal]

Couldn't agree more.

[Robbie Robb]

I think it's also interesting that Negreanu pretty much hit the nail on the head that the WPT *would* bring the online representation into this. I gotta give them credit though - turning it around so that it's the players causing the WPT harm - sheer legal genius (IMO. IANL.)

[Talking Poker]

Maybe it's because I never read the actual lawsuit, but I still don't get what they could possibly be thinking? I mean, yeah, the WPT uses your likeness to promote the WPT. BIG DEAL. Every minute of tv time (or magazine ad time or whatever) that you get (wearing all your sponsored gear or not!), makes you more recognizable, more marketable, and so on.

It's like they forget that if the WPT didn't exist, NO ONE would have any idea who they are - they wouldn't have ANY outside deals. Sure we may know a few of them from the WSOP, but do you really think anyone (other than a few of us die hards who have been following the sucky coverage for years) would even be watching the WSOP if not for the WPT??? If not for the WPT, there wouldn't be televised poker as we know it.

And here's my biggest issue: If you don't want to sign the release for WPT events, don't play in them!!! There are SO MANY tourneys year round, there is absolutely no need to play in the WPT as a professional poker player... unless of course you want a shot at that tv coverage!

Again, all I can think is that I just don't "get it." I saw a few of these guys at the WSOP but didn't say anything... Maybe I'll bring it up the next time I run into one of them.

[Boobie Lover]

I'm not too surprised that Daniel got it right. Daniel is undoubetdly big friends with Lyle Berman and he alluded to playing with Lyle after he heard of the lawsuit. Lyle probably just clued him in on what they were planning on doing.

[melioris]

I looked it up and so I figure someone else might want to know. The seven are Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, Phil Gordon, Greg Raymer, Joe Hachem, and Howard Lederer.