Well, it seems like Ultimate Bet is cleaning house to close 2010.
Just hours after Annie Duke announced she was leaving UB, Phil Hellmuth has confirmed that he and the online poker site have agreed to part ways. This ends UB’s 10 year run as sponsor to the most decorated player in World Series of Poker history.
“The Poker Brat’s” departure has been rumored for months, ever since the 11-time bracelet winner started appearing on televised events sans UB patches. It was first noticed after Hellmuth tweeted photos from a taping of of Poker After Dark where he was seen patchless. Later, during the PokerStars NAPT Bounty Shootout event in Los Angeles, Hellmuth was seen wearing a cap for the Aria casino, along with WSOP.com on his chest. Finally, Hellmuth has let the poker world off the hook and answered the question.
Today’s blog post on philhellmuth.com:
Over the last few months, rumors have been floating around that UB.com and I have parted ways.
Today, I’d like to confirm that yes, it’s true. I no longer wear the UB patch. UB.com and I have chosen to end our longstanding relationship.
This was a mutual decision, and a difficult one for both parties to make. But I truly believe it’s the right move for me and for the rebranded UB.com.
I sincerely wish everyone at UB.com – from management to the frontline staff to every player who loves this game as much as I do – the very best.
Phil Hellmuth
Ultimate Bet had a short, but sweet statement on their site, saying “It has been great working with Phil over the last decade and we know we’re with the rest of the poker world when we say that we look forward to Phil’s next move on the world poker circuit.”
Ultimate Bet also hinted at possible additions to Team UB, which already includes young poker stars such as Adam Levy, Tiffany Michelle, Eric Baldwin and Joe Sebok. “Team UB will continue to be stacked with young, aggressive poker professionals who today’s passionate online poker players can really identify with,” said UB Marketing in the statement. ”… in early 2011, we’ll announce some big additions to Team UB.”
In an interview with Pokernews.com, UB’s new elder statesman Sebok had the following to say on the Hellmuth and Duke departures:
“It seems to me that it was the perfect time for all parties to part ways, and I wish them both the utmost in success moving forward. Sometimes it’s just the right time to make a move and I think that was the case here … It’s been a pleasure working with both, as well as knowing them personally, and they are truly icons of the industry. I think all sides were ready for the change and all genuinely wish nothing but the best for each other.”
Now the question is who will be the next to sponsor the brash poker star? And are the rumors of him joining the next cast of Dancing With the Stars accurate? Stay tuned.
