PokerWorks

The World Poker Tour recently wrapped up its seventh season of tournaments with the 2009 WPT World Championship at Bellagio, a season that was highlighted by the broadcast agreement with Fox Sports Network and the sponsorship deal with Full Tilt Poker. And to complete the season as its Season 7 shows are still airing in the U.S. and preparing for international release, WPT Enterprises inked a deal with PokerStars for those global broadcasts.

The Season 7 deal with FullTiltPoker.net was an “exclusive educational poker sponsor” agreement for all shows to be aired on Fox Sports Net. Full Tilt Poker bought the rights to integrate its brand name in all shows to be aired in the United States and Mexico, and anyone watching the broadcasts in those countries has been very aware that Full Tilt Poker is one of the primary sponsors of the WPT.

As WPT Enterprises prepares to begin the broadcast of Season 7 television shows in various countries worldwide, the company announced a TV sponsorship deal with PokerStars for those international releases. PokerStars will be the title sponsor and allowed to integrate its brand name on the shows in Canada, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. In addition, PokerStars will be providing local commentators and translations for the WPT shows for Spanish/Portuguese viewers.

WPT Enterprises Founder and CEO Steve Lipscomb noted, “TV sponsorship is an important part of our business, so having the biggest company in the poker industry jump on board is an exciting way to start international distribution of Season VII. We look forward to working with PokerStars as we roll out the latest WPT programming to fans in these territories.”

With that, the World Poker Tour has successfully created two alliances with the largest online gaming sites in the world - Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. The latest of the two agreements with PokerStars looks to be a way to increase popularity in territories that may play more of a role in future WPT seasons. And as players and poker fans await the announcement of Season 8 shows, WPT Enterprises lets the industry know that its partnerships are significant and the show must go on.