World Poker Tour Sues Travel Channel

So much for a happy marriage. World Poker Tour Enterprises, Inc. (WPTE) filed suit against its television partner the Travel Channel and its owner, Discovery Communications, Inc., in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday. WPTE claims that the Travel Channel is interfering in its efforts to start a new poker series on ESPN, the network that currently airs the World Series of Poker.

The suit specifically charges the Travel Channel with breach of contract and intentional interference. According to The World Poker Tour (WPT), its contract with the Travel Channel stated that it could pursue other poker programming, as long as the Travel Channel was given the first opportunity to license the show, as well as right of last refusal. WPT had proposed a show, “Professional Poker Tour,” last July, but according to WPT, negotiations were not completed with its television partner within the given 60-day time period.

Since then, ESPN has stepped up to the plate, offering to license the new show on September 12 and kicking into motion the 15-day right to last refusal period with the Travel Channel.

The Travel Channel has allegedly sent threatening letters to both WPT and ESPN, including threats of legal action.

"The letter to ESPN had and continues to have the effect of disparaging WPTE, interfering with its pending and anticipated contract and relationship with ESPN and causing severe and significant damages," WPTE’s complaint said.

The Travel Channel believes it has done nothing wrong. Channel spokesperson David Leavy said, "We are planning to very vigorously and aggressively defend and protect our rights under the existing contracts."


Originally published September 21, 2005