Doyle Brunson Leaves DoylesRoom

Written On  5/15/11 By Recentpoker.com staff writer Frank Polliern :

Online poker ace breaks with internet poker site bearing his name
 
The Doyle's Room internet poker site could be in for a re-branding following the news this week that its name-sponsor, veteran poker legend Doyle Brunson, has distanced himself from the operation, which recently moved to the Yatahay network.
 
The news will inevitably be linked with the recent enforcement actions in the United States against leading online poker firms.
 
Confusing the issue somewhat was Brunson's appearance in a Doyle's Room T-shirt at the World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio on Friday, and his refusal to comment on his break from the poker site bearing his name.
 
Earlier in the week, Brunson reportedly issued a statement in which he wrote: “Reluctantly, I have decided to terminate my endorsement contract with Doylesroom.com. It pains me to leave at this time.
 
"I have aspirations of re-entering the online poker business when the United States Government passes legalization, that officially legalizes 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.”
 
This appears to indicate that Brunson's branding contract with the enterprise precludes him from arbitrarily withdrawing the use of his name and image, at least for an agreed period of time.
 
Nevertheless, as news of his alienation spreads, the continued use of his name in the site's branding may weaken its credibility.
 
Doyle’s Room spent 2 years on the Cake Poker Network prior to switching to Yatahay earlier this year.  Prior to that, the site also operated on the Microgaming Poker Network and the now defunct Tribeca Tables Network.