WPT Global has excitedly welcomed another well-known name to its expanding list of brand champions. Following the signing of Chinese esports sensation Xue Hong-Wei, the business has also brought on board three-time Stanley Cup champion ice hockey great Phil Kessel. With Kessel’s inclusion, WPT Global marks yet another important turning point as it keeps growing inside the poker scene.
Well-known for his on-ice performance, Kessel is also not unfamiliar with the poker scene. He has been seen at many poker events, including the esteemed World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he has participated annually starting in 2012. His regular attendance at poker events has won him respect in the community; hence, this cooperation is logical for Kessel and WPT Global.
From the Poker Tables to the NHL
The athletic career of Phil Kessel requires no introduction. Professional ice hockey player, he has participated on some of the biggest teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins. His back-to-back Stanley Cup triumphs with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017 speak to his skill and commitment to the game. Kessel has scored more than 400 goals over his career and boasts the esteemed NHL Ironman mark for most consecutive games attended.
Kessel, though, is passionate outside of the rink. He has regularly attended poker events over the years, and his poker record comprises six WSOP cashes. At the 2018 WSOP, he won $4,216 in the $2,500 No Limit Hold’em tournament, his largest live cash prize. Though not as spectacular as his hockey exploits, his poker performance captures his love of the game and competition.
The Rising Profile of Celebrity in Poker
Kessel’s deal with WPT Global exposes a growing trend in poker: celebrities from several backgrounds are playing the game and promoting poker brands. Many performers, sportsmen, and media icons have embraced poker in recent years and brought their following bases into the realm of cards. For Kessel, this relationship provides a chance for him to keep becoming more visible in the poker scene while WPT Global gains from his general popularity and devoted following.
A major player in the poker scene since 2002, WPT Global has been eager to add leaders from other sectors to its ambassador list. Signing Kessel allows them to leverage the huge Canadian market with a solid base of poker aficionados. This also fits their “Team Canada” project, which seeks to boost involvement in the poker scene inside Canada.
Phil Kessel attending the WPT Playground Festival
The new post of WPT Global ambassador for Phil Kessel comes just at the right moment. Starting with the WPT Playground Festival in Montreal, Canada, he is scheduled to make appearances at other forthcoming events. One of the main events on the WPT calendar, the festival runs from October 13th to 30th and will feature Kessel at some of the most looked-forward poker tables.
Kessel’s attendance at the festival will surely create buzz among poker and ice hockey players. His engagement emphasises the cross-appealing nature of the two communities and should increase awareness of the WPT Playground Festival. Attaching the event, poker enthusiasts have a great chance to personally meet the NHL player during his booked visits.
Particular Appearances: The Iron Man Tournament
Kessel’s attendance at the WPT Global Iron Man Tournament is among the most anticipated events after his signing. This invite-only competition, scheduled for November 27th, will have Kessel as a competitor, therefore adding more thrills for the other players. The fact that Kessel—whoever kills him from the tournament—will receive a unique prize package makes this event much more remarkable.
Along with a WPT Global Swag Bag, the prize consists of signed artefacts like jerseys, pictures, and a puck. Both Kessel’s supporters and poker aficionados will surely want this package as a prize. To guarantee their place, players hoping to take part in this unusual competition must register at WPT Global.
Celebrity Poker Ambassadors: A trend
A noteworthy trend in recent years is the emergence of celebrities serving as poker ambassadors. For the brands as well as the personalities engaged, these alliances have proven to be helpful, whether they involve actors, sportsmen, or social media influencers. Having a well-known person as an ambassador helps poker companies attract fresh players and fans, therefore opening new markets. The celebrities also acquire a foothold in the expanding poker business, which over the years has developed into a profitable entertainment venue.
For WPT Global as well as Kessel, his signing is encouraging. Kessel is officially establishing his mark on the poker industry by underlining one of the most venerable and oldest names in the game, while WPT Global keeps proving its ranking as a top-notch poker brand with a varied ambassador roster.
WPT Global’s Signing Spree: A Rich Future for Poker
WPT Global has been on an ambassador signing frenzy lately; Phil Kessel’s joining is only one component of their larger plan. The organization is getting ready for a great future in poker as it keeps bringing in well-known people from many sectors. These alliances help the business to keep the game interesting and fresh, expand its brand, and draw new competitors.
For Kessel, joining WPT Global provides access to a completely other universe of possibilities. With its mix of strategy, talent, and luck, poker is quite comparable to the hectic world of professional ice hockey. At the poker table, Kessel’s strategic thinking and competitive nature—developed on the ice—probably will help him.
