Posted by Johnnymac 5:45 PM
So I was catching up on the finale of Tilt this afternoon. Did anyone else notice that the fake WSOP graphics on Clark's final hand said "all-in" next to his name before he ever bet? In fact, after he flops his set he checks, then David Williams bets $250k, and then Clark goes all-in. Not that it makes a difference, but just a little nitpick.

Also, Binion's must have given up some serious royalties in return for ESPN giving them all that money to televise the real thing, because besides for the "Colorado Casino" and the "World Poker Championships" the fake ESPN coverage is identical to the WSOP, right down to the theme music. Obviously, we all know that it's supposed to be the WSOP, so perhaps Binion's isn't losing much branding capital, but ESPN is making money off of Tilt and I suspect that Binions isn't getting anything out of it.

I could be wrong - maybe Binions is getting something, but I don't see ESPN paying a whole bunch. If the price was too high, after all, ESPN could just come up with something fake but not quite as close as still get to the same place. Interesting conjecture, though, and I would be keen to find out more someday.

3 Comment(s):

Posted by  Junelli, at 8:58 AM, March 16, 2005  

Binion's doesn't have to get anything. ESPN is not using the WSOP name.

Remember that ESPN owns the TV rights to the WSOP. That means that they own the music, the commentary, the taglines, the narrators, etc.

They can recreate and use all of those items with or without Binion's permission.

__________________________________________________

Posted by  Dr Fro, at 9:42 PM, March 17, 2005  

Doesnt the Rio have WSOP now?

__________________________________________________

Posted by  Johnnymac, at 7:51 AM, March 18, 2005  

Actually, yes, everything except for the final two days will be at the Rio. And even more generally, I guess I should have said, "Harrah's" rather than Binion's. Oh well.

__________________________________________________

Post a Comment