Poker Sponsored Pro Debts Part of a $713 Million Deal

A $713 Million deal is a massive amount of money, and this is basically what it will cost PokerStars to rescue Full Tilt Poker. Back when Group Bernard Tapie was planning to rescue the beleaguered site, they also claimed that $18 million in debt from sponsored poker pros was holding up the negotiation process. 

Some of the pros who apparently still owe the site include; Mike Matusow (The Mouth) - $700 000, Barry Greenstein - $400 000, Phil Ivey - $4 million, Layne Flack - $700 000, David Benyamine - $2 million, and Erick Lindgren - $4 million. PokerStars is now tasked with the prospect of recovering this debt.

Barry Greenstein has already made it clear that he intends to repay the money – he has made this known on the Poker Forum TwoPlusTwo and says – he knew he would have to pay it back to the new owners. What he is really curious about however, is if they will try to collect outstanding funds from the other pros. He alludes that PokerStars might have a problem collecting. Mike Matusow for example told Group Bernard Tapie that he did not owe full tilt anything, and doesn’t know why his name has been mentioned.

Kit is believed that it might also be a problem to collect what is owed by Eric Lindgren and $4 million is a great deal of money. There has been a well-publicized account of his financial woes and even purported debts to other players. It appears that this money was loans to these players and perhaps these pros will be principled about paying it back, but if they don’t it is going to be interesting to see what transpires from here on in. Full Tilts problems are not all going to disappear with the PokerStars purchase.

Other Full Tilt Poker News:

Full Tilt Poker CEO Surrenders to Authorities

PokerStars in talks to buy Full Tilt Poker

PokerStars rescue plan to save Full Tilt Poker