ESPN pays HOW MUCH for the WSOP TV rights??

[Smasharoo]

Just read an old article in Forbes stating that they pay $55k for the rights to the WSOP.

That's got to be close to the best TV investment in the history fo the world.

[Neil Stevens]

I wonder who gets more profit from the deal, though, between ESPN and Harrah's.

[Kevmath]

Thank the superb negotiating skills of Becky Behnen for that deal, although this was negotiated back in the day of the 1 hour show, hosted by some Van Patten or another.

Kevin...

[Smasharoo]

I wonder who gets more profit from the deal, though, between ESPN and Harrah's.


I imagine ESPN generated more than $55k from this years WSOP coverage. They're re-negoiating for 2005.

[Dynasty]

It's an old deal and I believe it expires with the 2005 WSOP.

Binion's Horshoe used to pay ESPN to air the WSOP at one time.

[Neil Stevens]

Yeah, but how much more profit did Harrah's get out of the WSOP main event alone because of ESPN's coverage?

[Smasharoo]

That's a fair point. I imagine the deal for '05 will be more generous than $55k though. The Harrrah's exec in the article said "I'm sure Fox Sports will take our call if ESPN can't come to terms"

[ QUOTE ]
That's a fair point. I imagine the deal for '05 will be more generous than $55k though. The Harrrah's exec in the article said "I'm sure Fox Sports will take our call if ESPN can't come to terms"

[/ QUOTE ]

I would love for Fox to take over the WSOP coverage. Hell, even the Travel Channel. I think both their coverage of poker blows away ESPN.

[Joseph Busti]

$55,000
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB35CM7DZD.html

[ QUOTE ]
ESPN, owned by Walt Disney Co., purchased the rights to televise the World Series of Poker from the former owners of Binion's for $55,000 a year, Shanks said. But those low-budget days are over. ESPN's is filming the circuit in 2005 and its contract expires next year.


[/ QUOTE ]


edited to add my source.

[cowpie]

[ QUOTE ]
I would love for Fox to take over the WSOP coverage. Hell, even the Travel Channel. I think both their coverage of poker blows away ESPN.

[/ QUOTE ]

I liked TOC, it was better produced than the WSOP episodes so maybe ESPN is getting better. But I don't like that poker joker guy, can't he say something interesting? Norman Chad or whatever his name is, the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like. FOX needs to be better at producing poker shows, because the PSI wasn't that great. Could hardly hear the players talk, and they seem to only show few hands, and all all in hands.