PokerStars made the announcement and 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Joe Hachem confirmed it; after Hachem's PokerStars Team Pro contract expired. Hachem served as a member of Team Australia since his Main Event win in 2005.
“It’s been a great run with PokerStars and I’m proud of my association with the people and the company,” Hachem said in a PokerStars press release. “But it’s time for me to pursue other career opportunities and it will be fun to have some down time to spend with my family. I look forward to the future with much excitement and anticipation and will always have fond memories of my time at PokerStars.”
The parting appears to be quite friendly as each side had only goodwill for each other.
“Joe has been a terrific endorser for PokerStars over the years, and while we are sad to see him leave the Team we are looking forward to continuing to watch him play,” said Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for PokerStars. “We thank him for all he’s done for our brand and for poker and we wish him all the best at the poker table and in life.”
Hachem is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable faces in the poker world, especially after taking down the Main Event in 2005. Not only did Hachem win the Main Event and take home $7.5 million for his victory, he also won the World Poker Tour 2006 Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $2.2 million. In 2012 Hachem finished second to Victor Ramdin at the Big Event at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California. Hachem has accumulated over $11 million in lifetime earnings.
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*Picture courtesy of JoeHachem.com