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Having a major sponsor sponsor like Pepsi throw two million dollars into a poker prize pool is +EV for all future events. This is a first and not a small fist at that. How do you think golf generates such large prize pools without entry fees?

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This is absolutely correct, and as a business model for the future of poker as a televised sport, golf is a pretty good one. Michelle Wie, who got a sponsor's exemption to gain entry to a PGA event created much more interest in an event that was otherwise pedestrian. If sponsors are willing to pony up prize money to allow players to reduce or eliminate their entry fee, then giving them the right to name a few entrants to the event is a small sacrifice.