I wanted to do a post on this matter. 7 players have filed a lawsuit against the World Poker Tour Enterprises claiming that the company behind the World Poker Tour has violated antitrust laws by demanding players sign away the rights to their likelinesses before taking part in WPT events.
These 7 players are Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Joe Hachem, Phil Gordon, Chris Ferguson and Greg Raymer.
“This is about the control of your own name and likeness and in poker that’s all we have,” Lederer said. “You could find yourself endorsing products you don’t believe in. I should be able to make that decision. I don’t want the WPT deciding for me.”
Source: CardPlayer.com
Meanwhile these 7 players are fighting for their rights, Daniel Negreanu has his own opinion. He’s against this lawsuit and makes it pretty clear on his site’s forum and video blog.
“This lawsuit is more than about these 7 players against the WPT, their position, despite the fact that they think they are doing it for “ALL PLAYERS,” is something none of the players are asking for.
The “players” are not for this lawsuit. Not one person I asked outside of the 7 thinks this lawsuit is a good idea. Not one.
How quickly people forget what poker was like before the WPT. Man, oh man, how quickly y’all forget. Players would have signed their life away back then for a chance at bigger prize pools and television exposure.
People quickly forget how fortunate we are that poker has boomed so much over the last few years. Before Moneymaker, before ESPN, it was the WPT that was responsible for making stars of the players.
The WPT gave several players an opportunity to sell books, games, and DVD’s. That’s a fact no matter how they try to spin it. How quickly they forget…” – Negreanu (FCP FORUM)
No I want to make it clear, that is only a small percentage of what he has said but pretty much sums it all. Well, Greg Raymer has always been a peaceful person to me. Even when Mike “The Mouth” Matusow did his talking in 2005 WSOP, Raymer didn’t say too bad things about him. Well now Raymer seemingly was running his mouth in the chat mode of Poker Stars, saying following things:
FossilMan: Daniel is out, glad to say
indiangiverr: some atlanta internet kid
RustyJay: oh really
Dealer: Game #5814298979:
Diver23 wins pot ($98.50)
RustyJay: no a fan eh
indiangiverr: played flawless
BodogAri: will win obv RustyJay: not BodogAri: unless Rizen does
dave118: why gllad to say daniel out?
indiangiverr: currently in 5th position
dave118: not a fan of his?
FossilMan: because he’s been a real tool lately
dave118: ah
dave118: becoming too much of a rock star
Dealer: BodogAri has two pair, Sevens and Fours
Dealer:BodogAri has 7,5,4,3,2 for Lo
Dealer: theguzzler has two pair, Queens and Fours
FossilMan: keeps saying stupid ignorant things about our lawsuit against the WPT, and he knows nothing
Dealer: Game #5814318337:
theguzzler wins Hi pot ($128.50) with two pair, Queens and Fours
Dealer: Game #5814318337:
BodogAri wins Lo pot ($128.50) with 7,5,4,3,2
FossilMan: he’s either stupid, or a sockpuppet for the WPT
That’s (in my mind) something that Raymer wouldn’t do but it was his account so I guess you gotta believe it. Well Daniel read that on his forums and posted a “reply”:
“Raymer is completely out of line and it surprises me. He thinks he’s right about the lawsuit, I think he’s totally wrong. I never called him stupid, or singled out anyone of them.
For him to say he’s “glad that I’m out,” let’s me know where I stand with him. I’d never had a problem with him in the past in any way, but those days are over. I have nothing to say to him and I don’t really need his “support.”
Why he is making this a personal issue I don’t have the slightest? I said I think the lawsuit is horrible for poker and I stand firm on that opinion. Now I’m either stupid or a sock puppet for the WPT? Dude is way out of line.”
———————-
So this basically means a “beef” between Negreanu and Raymer. It’s interesting to see how things develop…
Written by Poker Insider at High Stakes Poker Report
Negreanu’s response is very professional.
Looks to me like Raymer needs to say something a little nicer.
Ive watched Daniel’s blog all the way and although he does rip into the 7 filing the lawsuit, he responds to Greg’s bashing with well thought out words.
I expect a half-hearted apology from Raymer.
I watched Negreanu’s blog. What I wanna know is where did Greg Raymer all of a sudden grow balls?
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Jason said,
August 7, 2006 at 5:28 am
I watched Negreanu’s blog. What I wanna know is where did Greg Raymer all of a sudden grow balls?
>>>>>
Isn’t that whats hanging off of his chin?
I’d agree with the two previous comments. After watching the video diary I have to say I’ve got just that much more respect for Daniel now. Seems really out of line/character for Raymer to make such comments KNOWING he’d get called out on ‘em at some point. I’d love to say someone mad h4x0r3d his PokerStars account and it wasn’t him, but somehow I think it was.
And I agree the lawsuit is bad all around for poker in general. As stated in the video diary, those people that participated in WPT events signed releases, and those releases are pretty damned well written considering what’s at stake with the WPT and media coverage.
We’ll see what happens…
Greg Raymer we know you read this blog! Defend yourself was it really you on the account?