World Poker Tour to honor Mike Sexton

(PRESS RELEASE) -- World Poker Tour is proud to announce the WPT Champions Cup, bearing the names of WPT Champions Club members from all 18 seasons, will be officially renamed the “Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup” in honor of the long-time WPT Commentator and Champion.

Sexton served as the lead commentator for the World Poker Tour starting at the Season I WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio in 2002 alongside Vince Van Patten, and he won his WPT title in Season XV at WPT Montreal. In addition to his previous role with the World Poker Tour, Sexton currently serves as Chairman for partypoker.

“The Ambassador of Poker,” as he is known to many, Sexton was born in Shelbyville, IN in 1947, and served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army before transitioning to professional poker in the 1970s. Sexton’s lifetime WPT accomplishments include more than $1 million in earnings, 17 cashes, four final tables, and his signature win at WPT Montreal, which earned Sexton $317,896.

The WPT Champions Cup is the hallmark trophy that travels the globe to every WPT Main Tour event each season. Every WPT champion from 18 seasons has their name permanently inscribed on the cup along with the winning hand from their respective victory. 288 unique WPT Champions are listed alongside Sexton on the WPT Champions Cup, including Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, four-time WPT Champion Darren Elias, and current WPT Commentator Tony Dunst.

“I was thrilled to get my name on the WPT Champions Cup in Montreal in 2016. In 15 seasons in the WPT commentator booth, I can attest first-hand how difficult it is to win a WPT Main Event,” said Sexton. “I thought being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame would be the greatest moment of my career, but to have the WPT Champions Cup named in my honor and be part of the experience for all WPT champions moving forward is truly the highest peak in my 40 years in poker. Thank you to the World Poker Tour for this humbling distinction.”

“The WPT Family is proud to bestow this tribute and privilege to the greatest poker ambassador the world has ever known,” said Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour. “Mike Sexton embodies everything the World Poker Tour stands for. His class at the table, humility towards fans of the game, travel to all corners of the globe, and his contributions away from the table have all benefited the game we love. In accordance with his incredible work for the World Poker Tour and the entire poker community, I can think of no better way to honor Mike’s legacy than to award the WPT Champions Cup in his name.”

Five players will put their name on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup during the WPT World Online Championships on partypoker.