Loss of La Liga stars won’t alter approach, claims PokerStars

A PokerStars representative has confirmed that the online poker room remains committed to working with pro athletes.

This announcement comes in the wake of the company parting company with Real Madrid and Barcelona stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.

PokerStars logo

PokerStars quick to react to email misunderstanding

Stories about PokerStars ditching their sporting ambassadors spread after PokerStars sent an email to affiliates. The missive read:

“Starting 1st April 2017, we will be focusing on our ongoing Free Welcome Bonus Offer. In addition, our branding team has designed some wonderfully creative and banners to help support your acquisition efforts and drive in some big numbers!

“Therefore, as of midnight 31st March, all Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr promotional materials will have to be replaced as the Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr banner creative will no longer be valid for you to use from that date.”

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo

Company confident it’ll cope without Cristiano

As was pointed out by CalvinAyre, the loss of Ronaldo mightn’t be too harshly felt since the Portuguese star didn’t use his social media to promote PokerStars.

By way of contrast, Barcelona’s Neymar does promote poker via social media. Still, with the company paying both players a fortune for their services, you can see why a change of mind might have occurred.

However, the PokerStars representative who talked to CalvinAyre’s Lee Davy was keen to point out that the firm isn’t abandoning the use of professional athletes.

As Davy writes, “If the right deal comes along, for the right price, at the right time, then it will be struck.”

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Nigel Frith

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