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One of the biggest poker legends of our time, Doyle Brunson has parted ways with his website, DoylesRoom.com. The rumors were circulating for a few days now, but a representative of DoylesRoom confirmed that Brunson is indeed out. The Brunson 10 also seems to be sacked.
[3]Doyle Brunson
In an exclusive interview for Gambling911.com, Doyle Brunson issued the following statement:
"Reluctantly, I have decided to terminate my endorsement contract with Doylesroom.com. It pains me to leave at this time. I have aspirations of reentering the online poker business when the United States Government passes legislation, that officially legalize online poker sites. Doylesroom management has decided to continue to serve U.S. customers. Although they believe they have the right to market the name Doylesroom and to use my name and likeness for a period of time, I have asked them not to. Good luck-Shuffle up and deal."
This statement was published on May 13, and was far from being official, but very recently, a representative of DoylesRoom.com has confirmed that the room and Brunson are indeed parting ways, and explained why the site still uses Brunson's likeness and name:
"Doyle Brunson was a sponsored pro of DoylesRoom and he has left his endorsement contract. We have purchased his image and likeness and are allowed to continue to use those. Doyle will still continue to play in the Bounty tournament."
The departure comes as no surprise, DoylesRoom left the Cake Network for the Yatahay Poker Network [4] in February [4], and after the Black Friday, they continued to serve U.S. players, which can get the room in the same danger as UB/AP or Full Tilt Poker [5]are in. The 77-year old godfather of poker boasting 10 WSOP bracelets might just be too old to go jail for this.
The Brunson 10, the pro team members don't seem to wear the DoylesRoom patches on the WPT Championsip (which is currently underway [6]); only Doyle Brunson and Steve Gross do. Chris Moorman, former Brunson 10 member already wore PartyPoker [7] patches. Therefore, it seems DoylesRoom is letting its pros go the same way as UB/AP [8] did a few days ago [8].
For how long DoylesRoom will use their current branding, and into what will they transform as the contract with Brunson expires is yet to be seen.