World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack ResignsNo Immediate Plans to Appoint a New Commissioner |
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Jeffrey Pollack, the man who has been the organizational face of the World Series of Poker since 2006, has resigned from his post as World Series of Poker commissioner. There are no plans to immediately replace Pollack, according to the WSOP.
“It’s been a very good run, and I’m proud of the growth that the tournament, and poker, for that matter, have experienced,” Pollack told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I came into this role with a certain set of objectives, and now there’s a sense of accomplishment of how the World Series of Poker has expanded.”
Since 2006, the overall number of participants in the World Series has increased each year. Under Pollack’s reign, the organization emphasized the international aspect of the WSOP. In 2009, citizens and members from 115 different countries participated in at least one of the WSOP’s events.
The move comes six months after Harrah’s created a new division, Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment, to oversee online and international operations for the World Series of Poker. Harrah’s selected former PartyGaming executive Mitch Garber to become the CEO of HIE, while Pollack served as the president of the new subsidiary.
Pollack has been at the forefront of most of the major changes at the WSOP for the past few years, from the creation of the delayed final table and the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event to the formation of the Players Advisory Council and the new bracelet ceremonies held at the Rio.
In an interview with Card Player in May, just a week before news broke of Garber coming to Harrah’s to oversee the newly created HIE, Pollack was asked, “You’ve been in this role for four years now. Do you see yourself staying another four years?” Pollack replied, “If my bosses will have me.”
On Pollack’s final day with Harrah’s, the organization sent out a statement that reiterated that it was pleased with the results of the 2009 WSOP.
“The World Series of Poker remains the market leader, with this year’s tournament exceeding all expectations, and we are well-positioned for the future. There is no intention at this time to replace the commissioner role,” said a spokesperson for Harrah’s.
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