The new league, going by the unofficial and temporary name Federated Poker League for the time being, will be open only for the world’s top 200 players. Little is known, however, about the exact procedure of picking the members of the respectable list; word has it only live tournaments will count and it will be “based on a mathematical formula measuring finishes in major events, money earned and recent success.”
Jeffrey Pollack
“Our ground-breaking poker league will put professional players first and celebrate the stars of this great game like never before,” Pollack, former WSOP commissioner said. The co-founder and chairman of the league added at the Federated website: “As in any other endeavor, the world’s best talent deserves the spotlight and poker is no different. Federated Sports + Gaming will provide a custom-tailored tournament experience that clearly demonstrates how poker professionals lead the industry and are skilled in a way that is rare and worthy of special attention.”
League commissioner Annie Duke stated that there would be memberships distributed for two, three or five years, along with a couple of lifelong memberships; according to her, such players with “unparalleled success” include Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth. Since the live winnings list is currently led by Daniel Negreanu, he would definitely deserve a place among the best; question is how his history with Duke will affect the decision making...
Pros of the industry apparently welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Erik Seidel, for example, said that poker had long deserved a championship system similar to those of other popular sports and games.
Pollack and Duke are joined by Michael Brodsky, David Goldberg and Jeffrey Grosman in the leadership of the new professional league of Federated Sports & Gaming and Palms Casino Resort. First tournament dates are scheduled for August, 2011.
Watch the podcast interview below with Annie Duke on the league, brought to you by PokerStatic’s Eric Bickel and Bret Oliverio.
Jeffrey Pollack
“Our ground-breaking poker league will put professional players first and celebrate the stars of this great game like never before,” Pollack, former WSOP commissioner said. The co-founder and chairman of the league added at the Federated website: “As in any other endeavor, the world’s best talent deserves the spotlight and poker is no different. Federated Sports + Gaming will provide a custom-tailored tournament experience that clearly demonstrates how poker professionals lead the industry and are skilled in a way that is rare and worthy of special attention.”
League commissioner Annie Duke stated that there would be memberships distributed for two, three or five years, along with a couple of lifelong memberships; according to her, such players with “unparalleled success” include Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth. Since the live winnings list is currently led by Daniel Negreanu, he would definitely deserve a place among the best; question is how his history with Duke will affect the decision making...
Pros of the industry apparently welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Erik Seidel, for example, said that poker had long deserved a championship system similar to those of other popular sports and games.
Pollack and Duke are joined by Michael Brodsky, David Goldberg and Jeffrey Grosman in the leadership of the new professional league of Federated Sports & Gaming and Palms Casino Resort. First tournament dates are scheduled for August, 2011.
Watch the podcast interview below with Annie Duke on the league, brought to you by PokerStatic’s Eric Bickel and Bret Oliverio.
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