WPT and FTP Sign TV Sponsorship Deal

World Poker Tour just released a statement according to which they have just signed a TV sponsorship deal with the online poker site Full Tilt Poker.

WPT Enterprises, Inc., parent company of World Poker Tour, has just announced that they have signed a TV sponsorship deal with the online poker site Full Tilt Poker.

According to the contract, World Poker Tour Enterprises will receive $3.25 million from Full Tilt Poker for sponsoring the 26 season VII episodes. In return, Full Tilt Poker will be the title sponsor and will get exclusive rights to in-show brand integration for all the episodes, which will be airing on Fox Sports Net starting on December 7.

The WPT Enterprises founder, president and CEO, Steve Lipscomb said: "We are delighted to be in partnership with FullTiltPoker.net and bring together two very strong brands with proven global reach and loyal network of poker fans. With WPT's incredible brand value and TV distribution through FSN coupled with Full Tilt's massive online following, this partnership opens more channels to reach new fans and continue feeding the appetite for new poker content."

WPT reported a 36% decline in revenue for the third quarter of 2008, compared with the same period of 2007 and the total net loss for this year is around $11.1 million. The company also received a de-listing notice from Nasdaq due to the fact that their closing share price went below $1.00 for more than 30 consecutive business days.

Fullt Tilt Poker is centered around its team - Team Full Tilt - consisting of 13 members: Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, Howard Lederer, John Juanda, Phil Gordon, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Mike Matusow and Allen Cunningham. Together, they have over$80 million in career winnings, 10 WPT titles and 35 WSOP bracelets so far.