Las Vegas-based broadcaster Poker Central has acquired rights to broadcast the Global Poker League, which commences its inaugural season later this year.
From early April, Poker Central will broadcast live and pre-recorded matches twice a week. Pre- and post-game shows are being planned, while Poker Central will also broadcast GPL play-off games and the GPL World Championship.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive and founder of the GPL, said: “Both Poker Central and GPL were created for the same reason – to take poker to the masses and to make it as popular as any other professional sport. Poker Central will help GPL connect to fans worldwide.”
Poker Central, the world’s only 24-hour poker network, agreed the deal with Mediarex Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Global Poker Index and organiser of the GPL. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Global Poker League – the first-ever professional team poker league – will begin with a draft day on February 25. The first season will feature two conferences, representing Americas and Eurasia.
The Americas conference will feature the Las Vegas Moneymakers, Los Angeles Sunset, Montreal Nationals, New York Rounders, San Francisco Rush and Sao Paulo Metropolitans. The Eurasia conference will include the Berlin Bears, Hong Kong Stars, London Royals, Moscow Wolverines, Paris Aviators and Rome Emperors.