ESPN to Continue Carrying World Series of Poker 7 Years

ESPN, which currently carries the World Series of Poker, has committed to airing it for the next 7 years. 

The cable sports network and Harrah's Interactive Entertainment, Inc. made the announcement on Tuesday.

A total of nearly 82 million people in the U.S. watch the World Series of Poker each year.  This November's final table is expected to draw in an even larger audience thanks to the inclusion of leading poker player, Phil Ivey, making it to the final cut.

Under the terms of the new deal, ESPN will telecast a minimum of 32 hours of the event coverage from the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas annually, including the November final table.

"The WSOP is proud to call ESPN home for another nine years," said Jeffrey Pollack, President of Harrah's Interactive Entertainment and the World Series of Poker. "This long-term agreement ensures that our content will continue to reach sports fans around the world through every medium that matters."

"We are very excited to continue our relationship with Harrah's to deliver the largest, richest, and most prestigious gaming event in the world to fans across a variety of our platforms," said Doug White, senior director of programming and acquisitions, ESPN.  "Poker continues to be a solid ratings performer for us and allows us to continue offering diverse programming to our viewers."

ESPN has broadcast WSOP events every year since 2003 and was operating under an agreement set to expire at the end after the 2010 WSOP.

Ace King, Gambling911.com