Harrah's Entertainment Retains Former CBS Sports President
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET), owner of the World Series of Poker, has retained Pilson Communications, Inc., the sports television consulting firm run by former CBS Sports President Neal H. Pilson, to develop new broadcast extensions for the event. Pilson also will work with Harrah's to renegotiate the casino company's telecast agreement with ESPN, the cable network that produces and airs episodic coverage of the tournament.
Pilson, a senior industry executive who formed his company in 1995, will oversee talks between Harrah's and ESPN relating to the companies' broadcast agreement. The existing contract was fashioned prior to Harrah's purchase of the World Series of Poker last year.
"We're very pleased to have Neal take part in this process," said Ginny Shanks, senior vice president of acquisition marketing. "His expertise on all matters pertaining to televised sports will be invaluable as we seek to maximize our investment in the World Series of Poker and bring this prestigious event to an even broader audience than it already enjoys."
Pilson's company worked with NASCAR in negotiating its historic $2.4 billion network television agreements with FOX, NBC and Turner, and with the International Olympic Committee to structure its recent $2 billion network agreement with NBC. Other current PCI clients include UBS Bank, Major League Baseball, the Arena Football League, and the Rose Bowl Management Committee.
"The World Series of Poker is one of the most valuable sports properties on television today and offers advertisers unique access to tremendously attractive demographic groups," Pilson said. "I'm looking forward to exploring the many possible avenues that could take the tournament to new ratings heights."
Various subsidiaries of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. own or manage 28 casinos in the United States, primarily under the Harrah's and Horseshoe brand names. Founded 66 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its valued customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.