Phil Hellmuth Joins Negreanu & Esfandiari as Poker Central Partners

The new television network that will broadcast poker round-the-clock come October 1, Poker Central, has announced that Phil Hellmuth has been added as a partner.

Hellmuth joins the earlier signings of Daniel Negreanu and Antonio Esfandiari, creating what Poker Central calls a "powerhouse trio" that will play a vital role in the success of the poker broadcasting upstart. The network is still four months from launching, but is being talked about quite extensively in poker circles as players and fans are excited to see what Poker Central will bring to the table.

“Phil is an exciting addition to our Poker Central team,” said Poker Central CEO Clint Stinchcomb. “No poker endeavor would be complete without him.”

Nor would a WSOP in Las Vegas, where the Poker Brat is currently located, waging battles in quest of a 14th WSOP title. Of course, his Poker Central partners are there as well, having extended a warm welcome to Hellmuth upon joining the new team.

“I’m glad to play an integral role in creating Poker Central,” Hellmuth stated. “It’s exciting to create a poker TV network that will launch worldwide from Day One.”

Hellmuth, Esfandiari and Negreanu are recognized worldwide as poker stars, even to those who play poker recreationally - or not at all. Hellmuth is the most controversial of the bunch, with his behavior at the tables of berating other players and complaining about what he perceives as inferior play reaching legendary status.

In addition to winning the most WSOP gold bracelets, Hellmuth has cashed in more WSOP events than any other player. He has also won WSOP titles on two continents, which no one else has done.

In advance of its October 1 television launch, Poker Central has created the Super High Roller Bowl that is scheduled for July 2-4 at the Aria in Las Vegas. With a buy-in of $500,000, Poker Central is aiming for a prize pool of $25 million with more than $8 million going to the winner.

Though that event will take place prior to Poker Central's scheduled broadcast date, you can bet that the action will be recorded on film for the viewing pleasure of poker players and fans at a later date. Without a doubt, Hellmuth, Negreanu and Esfandiari will be featured players.