PokerStars Now Sponsoring Cristiano Ronaldo

PokerStars has added another world-class athlete to its stable of sponsored poker players and poker enthusiasts.

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Team PokerStars as a brand ambassador and will promote the game and the brand in global marketing campaigns, Amaya Gaming Group said Wednesday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ronaldo has more Twitter followers than Kim Kardashian and is the most followed person on Facebook. Between the two social media sites, Ronaldo has nearly 140 million fans. The 30-year-old is considered one of the best players in the history of the sport.

Canada-based Amaya bought PokerStars last year for $4.9 billion and is betting on re-entry into the American market via licensing in New Jersey. Amaya is also looking to buy rival bwin.party.

Ronaldo said in a statement that he has been playing poker for “a few years.”

Back in 2010, poker pro Dan “jungleman12” Cates said he had played an online poker session with the football star after chatting on Skype. They were playing $1-$2 pot-limit Omaha.

“We were just mostly playing for fun,” Cates said at the time. “He likes poker and gambling, but he’s not a gamblingaholic. He contacted me, and we talked for a bit before deciding to play. I wasn’t playing to win money. It kind of sucked being owned by him though. He beat me for about eight buy-ins…I wasn’t expecting that at all."

Amaya Chairman and CEO David Baazov said in a statement about the signing:

“Ronaldo is part of a new generation of global superstar athletes that work hard, play smart and encourage their fans to share in their lives. We’re proud that Ronaldo – and fellow elite player Neymar Jr—have chosen to make PokerStars a partner in their journey and to share their love of the game of poker with their legions of fans.”

PokerStars signed Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior just weeks ago.

Earlier this spring, footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly turned down a deal with PokerStars worth millions. The reason(s) apparently remain unknown.

Other athletes sponsored by PokerStars include Rafa Nadal, Ronaldo, Fatima Moreira de Melo and Marcus Hellner. The company sponsors more than 50 poker pros as well.

Most Viewed Articles