Antitrust LAWSUIT: players vs WPTE

[olivert]

I got an advisory on Tuesday from the law firm of Dewey Ballantine to attend a press conference to be held at the Rio on Wednesday morning July 19 regarding an antitrust lawsuit to be filed against WPT Enterprises.

My sources indicate that a number of elite pros are the plantiffs.

I am expecting a very interesting Wednesday morning.

[Kevmath]

I'm going to take a couple guesses as to the issues in the lawsuit:

- Sponsorships
- WPTE's right to broadcast their images
- Casinos not allowed to hold tournaments that would be considered "competition" to the WPT

I'm sure there's others out there.

[NickMPK]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm going to take a couple guesses as to the issues in the lawsuit:

- Sponsorships
- WPTE's right to broadcast their images
- Casinos not allowed to hold tournaments that would be considered "competition" to the WPT

I'm sure there's others out there.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't really see how the first two would be actionable under federal antitrust law. But the third is certainly highly relevant to an action under Sherman section 2.

Could be an interesting case. It certainly does seem that WPT has monopoly power share of the major poker tour market, but it acquired that share simply by being the first to put the tournaments on TV, which is not an antitrust violation. The big question it would seem to me is what actions is it now using to maintain that share against inchoate competitors.

[olivert]

My guess, and this is ONLY a guess, is the following plausible scenario:

1. A group of 7 elite TV poker stars, in conjunction with a promoter (H--------- R------?) and a major cable/satellite TV network (F--?), approached a casino (The B---?) to put together a deal for a made-for-TV single-table poker tournament.

2. Because this particular casino is a WPT "member casino", the casino is unable to execute the deal because the membership contract between the casino and WPTE prevents the casino from holding any non-WPTE televised poker tournament.

That would be the only scenario I can think of which would justify a lawsuit on antitrust grounds.

As for the 7 players, I am guessing, and ONLY guessing, that among the 7 might include some of the following:

H----- L------
A---- D---
C---- F-------
P--- G-----
A--- B----
G--- R-----
J-- H-----

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]


As for the 7 players, I am guessing, and ONLY guessing, that among the 7 might include some of the following:

H----- L------
A---- D---
C---- F-------
P--- G-----
A--- B----
G--- R-----
J-- H-----

[/ QUOTE ]

I appreciate your posting this information. But, your approach here is childish. Say what you want to say. Don't play games.

With the Harrah's WSOP and Circuit events, I seriiously doubt WPTE is in any danger.

[MeanGreenTT]

[ QUOTE ]
I appreciate your posting this information. But, your approach here is childish. Say what you want to say. Don't play games.

[/ QUOTE ]

If past posts are any indication.....

[Ignignokt]

Apparently Oliver's off Dutch Boyd detail and on to covering press conferences.

[Jack Bando]

[ QUOTE ]
My guess, and this is ONLY a guess, is the following plausible scenario:

1. A group of 7 elite TV poker stars, in conjunction with a promoter (H--------- R------?) and a major cable/satellite TV network (F--?), approached a casino (The B---?) to put together a deal for a made-for-TV single-table poker tournament.

2. Because this particular casino is a WPT "member casino", the casino is unable to execute the deal because the membership contract between the casino and WPTE prevents the casino from holding any non-WPTE televised poker tournament.

That would be the only scenario I can think of which would justify a lawsuit on antitrust grounds.

As for the 7 players, I am guessing, and ONLY guessing, that among the 7 might include some of the following:

H----- L------
A---- D---
C---- F-------
P--- G-----
A--- B----
G--- R-----
J-- H-----

[/ QUOTE ]

Pat Sajak, is that you?

[chicken10der]

I'd like to buy a:
oward ederer
nnie uke
hris erguson
hil ordon
ndy loch
reg aymer
oe achem

[Jack Bando]

You forgot to buy an ox and an ike.

(H--------- R------?) What's this one?