Players suing WPT...

BCC55BCC55
in General Poker Chat
Just read about this...
Shouldn't it read 6 top poker players and Annie Duke file lawsuit? :D

Seven Top Poker Players File Antitrust Lawsuit Against The World Poker Tour
by staff filed under Poker News

Las Vegas, July 19, 2006 -- Today, seven of the world’s top poker players filed an antitrust Complaint against WPT Enterprises, Inc. (“WPTE”) in federal district court in Los Angeles. By this lawsuit, Plaintiffs Chris Ferguson, Andrew Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, Joseph Hachem, Howard Lederer, and Greg Raymer seek to enjoin – and seek treble and punitive damages for – WPTE’s continuing violations of federal and state antitrust laws.


WPTE operates the World Poker Tour (“WPT”), a series of televised, high stakes poker tournaments that are run by various casinos located throughout the United States and in parts of Canada and Europe.


The Complaint alleges that WPTE and the casinos have unlawfully conspired to eliminate competition for the services and intellectual property rights of top, high stakes professional poker players. In particular, the Complaint alleges that the casinos have agreed with WPTE that they will not host any non-WPT televised poker tournaments. The Complaint also alleges that WPTE and the casinos have conspired to fix the price and other terms and conditions under which Plaintiffs and other professional poker players are forced to give up their valuable services and intellectual property rights in order to participate in WPT tournaments.


Plaintiff Chris Ferguson stated as follows: “WPTE has stacked the deck against all poker players who wish to compete in its tournaments. They are using our names and images to sell their products without our prior consent and without any compensation. We cannot let these wrongful actions stand. We will prosecute this lawsuit for as long as it takes to change WPTE’s unlawful ways.”


Plaintiff Annie Duke stated that: “We are bringing this action to change the way WPTE treats players. Our goal is not just to win for ourselves, but to set a precedent so that all players can be dealt a fair hand.”


Plaintiffs are represented by the law firm of Dewey Ballantine LLP, whose lead counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, has successfully represented NFL, NBA, and other players in similar antitrust suits. Mr. Kessler stated the following: “It is now well established that the antitrust laws protect professional athletes and other players when agreements are entered into that restrain competition for their services. This is as true for the business of professional poker tournaments as it is for professional football, basketball, and other sports. Professional poker players are entitled to a free market for their services, which will also benefit consumers since the result will be more and higher quality poker tournaments.”


Plaintiff Greg Raymer stated that: “Our success in this lawsuit will benefit all current and future poker players. I am proud to be part of it.”


Plaintiffs are seven of the most widely recognized and successful professional poker players in the world. Plaintiffs Howard Lederer and Phil Gordon, for example, are two poker superstars who have won three WPT tournaments between them. Plaintiff Chris Ferguson, perhaps the most widely recognized poker player in the world, and Plaintiffs Joseph Hachem and Greg Raymer, have each won the World Series of Poker (“WSOP”) Main Event. Plaintiff Annie Duke has also won a WSOP event, and is regarded as the best and most accomplished female professional poker player in the history of poker. Plaintiff Andrew Bloch has two WPT “Final Table” appearances.

Comments

  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    Given that almost all of them are friends (or relatives) it's not surprising. There have been a few pros who have said they are boycotting the WPT events until they change a few things, I guess this is the next step.
  • Flint BonesFlint Bones
    Plaintiff Annie Duke has also won a WSOP event, and is regarded as the best and most accomplished female professional poker player in the history of poker

    A bit of a strech. And why again is Annie Duke complaining? Has she even played in a WPT event?
  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    I guess this has been brewing for a while but here is the official WPT stand taken from the hendonmob's web site.

    http://www.thehendonmob.com/articles/steve_lipscomb/a_letter.html
  • BCC55BCC55
    It's all bull shit. lol. :D

    I find it extremely hard to imagine that the WPT has yet to see any profit. How many DVD's have been sold? Merchandise? What about TV contracts...they get more of an audience than Hockey! (I think Hockey got like 50 or 60 million a year for their deal.)

    I feel for the players. Well as much as one can feel for millionaires.
    What the WPT does is like Wimbledon asking Andre Aggasi to pony up 10 G's to try and win their tournament.
    All the while the tournament organizer sells advertising and broadcast rights.

    Then on the other hand the WPT brings in the  :fish: for these sharks.

    Starting to remind me of the baseball strikes...millionaires bitching about other millionaires.
    cry me a river :'(...lol :D

    BCC55
  • sstarsstar
    BCC55 wrote:
    It's all bull shit. lol. :D

    I find it extremely hard to imagine that the WPT has yet to see any profit. How many DVD's have been sold? Merchandise? What about TV contracts...they get more of an audience than Hockey! (I think Hockey got like 50 or 60 million a year for their deal.)


    BCC55

    I think it's hard to lie when you have a publicly traded company, well, not hard, but the consequences are very real.  Also, that article was written quite a while back, so it's not actually in response to the present law suit. 

    I think the WPT HAS done a lot for poker, amateurs AND pro's.  However, I've read some of Phil Gordon's articles about the WPT, and it's hard not to compare some of their practices to other sport's, like you did with tennis.  So basically, I can't decide who is MORE right (Because I don't think that either side is completely right).  I guess that means I just typed this for nothing.

    signed...can't take a stand sstar
  • beanie42beanie42
    Making the players sign waivers sucks, but I think it's within their rights to do. If a player doesn't want to sign, that's their right.

    The issue about making agreements with casinos about not having other tournaments does sound like a fairly clear-cut anti-trust violation.
  • The Prophet 22The Prophet 22
    beanie42 wrote:
    Making the players sign waivers sucks, but I think it's within their rights to do.  If a player doesn't want to sign, that's their right.

    I signed a waiver to play at Zithal's house this past March. Why did I do it? Because I wanted to play in the tournament. What he does with the dvd is irrelvant, I wanted to play and be a part of it. Players that don't sign the waiver make the choice not to play. The onus is always on the player and the player always has the choice.

    Prophet :2h :2s
  • compueasecompuease Admin
    The Prophet 22 wrote:
    beanie42 wrote:
    Making the players sign waivers sucks, but I think it's within their rights to do.  If a player doesn't want to sign, that's their right.

    I signed a waiver to play at Zithal's house this past March.  Why did I do it?  Because I wanted to play in the tournament.  What he does with the dvd is irrelvant,  I wanted to play and be a part of it.  Players that don't sign the waiver make the choice not to play.  The onus is always on the player and the player always has the choice.

    Prophet :2h :2s
    Hey yeh, you're right, wasn't there some profit sharing involved in that? Rob, when are the checks being mailed out?
  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    Sorry Jeff I just spoke to Rob and he said the editting is costing more so we now all owe him an extra $10..... :). J/K
  • sincsinc
    beanie42 wrote:
    Making the players sign waivers sucks, but I think it's within their rights to do. If a player doesn't want to sign, that's their right.

    The issue about making agreements with casinos about not having other tournaments does sound like a fairly clear-cut anti-trust violation.

    I don't think its any different than a company like pepsi or coke having the exclusive rights to certain schools/fast food chains.

    As for the players argument its kinda insane if you ask me. Most of these players were nobodies making nothing before people like the WPT and ESPN with the WSOP started giving them exposure. I'm tired of these pros thinking they make poker. No its john p WPT fan that makes poker. Without these people playing on Lederers fulltilt or buying his stupid DVDs or Gordons books these players would be enjoying a completely different lifestyle.

    The WPT and WSOP have to make enough money to warrant doing this shit. The pros act like these places arent businesses and should be more concerned with their person endeavors as opposed to their own bottom line. When you come down to it its just a bunch of rich people squabbling over more millions. In my opinon the players need to stop looking a gift horse in the mouth and shut up and enjoy their money.


    Just my .02
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