Absolute/Ultimate drop pros

[2Tone]

Interesting reason given -- will Stars drop their WSOP winners?




Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet have dropped their sponsorships of poker professionals Michael Mizrachi, Antonio Esfandiari and Mark Seif. The future of two other big names, Annie Duke and Phil Hellmuth, also remains in the balance. The players were told the move by Absolute, which owns Ultimate Bet, was down to legal issues and the fear that they might be targeted and arrested by US authorities as the US repression on online gaming firms continues. It is unlikely it presages any exit from the US market by Absolute and is seen as a precautionary step by the company.

[Talking Poker]

I heard about this the other day. In the release that I read, they said that these pros will continue to promote the sites in Europe, but will cease to promote them here in the U.S.

I see they still list everyone on , but their faces aren't splattered all over the main page of the site any more.

It will be interesting to see what these guys wear during future televised tourneys. I can't even picture Hellmuth NOT wearing UB crap.

[Reel Deal]

I thought this might happen. Will be very interested to see what FTP does with as many pros as they have signed.

[stormswa]

thats full tilts claim to fame!!!! play with the pro's.

[Ando05]

if they are releasing their pros, they might not let US players play any more thats what im guessin, dont u guys think that might happen

[Talking Poker]

They have specifically stated that this is not the plan... so.... no. At least not in the immediate future.

[Reel Deal]

I don't see the correlation.