Los Angeles, CA (January 22, 2021) – The World Poker Tour® and the growth of WPT® Online continues in 2021 with the WPT Spring Festival, sponsored by Poker King. The festival features more than ¥12 million (~$1.85 million) in guarantees and will take place from February 11-22.
The WPT Spring Festival series is highlighted by the WPT Main Event taking place from February 17-22 and includes a ¥10 million guarantee (~$1.5 million) at the accessible price point of ¥2,000 (~$300). Three starting flights are available with one each on February 17, 18, and 19.
Players can look forward to competing against celebrities from the sporting world and poker royalty in the WPT Spring Festival Main Event.
Among the notables who will participate in the WPT Main Event include WPT Champion Phil Ivey, WPT Champions Club member Nick Petrangelo, high stakes superstar Tom Dwan, and NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.
The Poker King software features new innovations for mobile poker that will be on display during the WPT Spring Festival. Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan are proudly featured across the platform as ambassadors of Poker King.
“As the WPT global footprint continues to expand, we are extremely happy that our players in the Asian region will be able to experience the thrill of a WPT event conveniently from their mobile devices,” said Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour.
“The WPT Spring Festival provides the familiarity and prestige of the WPT tournament experience along with opportunities to win huge prizes at all bankroll levels,” added Angelica Hael, VP of Global Tour Management for the World Poker Tour. “The WPT looks forward to working alongside the Poker King team to operate this first-of-its-kind festival and live stream the Main Event final table in multiple regions and languages.”
WPT is a subsidiary of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AESE). For more information, including World Poker Tour event schedules and the tour’s latest news, visit WPT.com.
WPT Media Contact
Matt Clark – [email protected]
About World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 18th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season XVIII of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 43 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, go to WPT.com. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
About Allied Esports Entertainment (AESE)
Allied Esports Entertainment (NASDAQ: AESE) is a global esports entertainment venture dedicated to providing transformative live experiences, multiplatform content and interactive services to audiences worldwide through its strategic fusion of two powerful entertainment brands: Allied Esports and the World Poker Tour (WPT). On January 19, 2021, AESE entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement to sell the equity interests that own WPT to Element Partners, LLC once all applicable shareholder and regulatory consents have been obtained, and the other conditions to closing have been satisfied (the “Proposed Transaction”).
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to future results, strategy and plans of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and the World Poker Tour (collectively, the “Companies”) (including certain projections and business trends, and statements, which may be identified by the use of the words “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “estimated”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “projects”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”). Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Companies as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, each Company’s respective revenues and operating performance, general economic conditions, industry trends, legislation or regulatory requirements affecting the business in which it is engaged, management of growth, its business strategy and plans, the result of future financing efforts and its dependence on key personnel, and the ability to retain key personnel. [ ]Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and no Company undertakes any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. With respect to the Proposed Transaction, these factors include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement or could otherwise cause the Proposed Transaction to fail to close; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us following the announcement of the Proposed Transaction; the inability to complete the Proposed Transaction, including due to failure to obtain approval of AESE’s stockholders or other conditions to closing; the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party for an alternative business transaction that could interfere with the Proposed Transaction; a change in our plans to retain the net cash proceeds from the Proposed Transaction; our inability to enter into one or more future acquisition or strategic transactions using the net proceeds from the Proposed Transaction; an event or condition that results in our not fully participating in the future revenues of Buyer (as contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement); and a decision not to pursue strategic options for the esports business. Further information on potential factors that could affect our business is described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in AESE’s amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 17, 2020. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures we made in such amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and that will be included in the Consent Solicitation Statement with respect to the Proposed Transaction that we file with the SEC and mail to AESE’s stockholders.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to sell or purchase, nor the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, nor is it a solicitation of any vote, consent, or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the Proposed Transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
Important Additional Information Has Been Filed With the SEC
AESE plans to file with the SEC and mail to its stockholders a Consent Solicitation Statement in connection with the Proposed Transaction. The Consent Solicitation Statement will contain important information about the Companies, the Proposed Transaction and the Stock Purchase Agreement. Investors and stockholders are urged to read the Consent Solicitation Statement carefully before making any decision to invest or consent to the Proposed Transaction.
Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement and other documents filed by AESE with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement from the Company by contacting the Company’s investor relations department by calling (949) 225-2600.
Participants in the Solicitation
AESE and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of consents with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Information regarding AESE’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of AESE shares is contained in AESE’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its definitive proxy statement for the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which was filed with the SEC on November 4, 2020, and is supplemented by other public filings made, and to be made, with the SEC. AESE’s directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 6.8% of AESE’s common stock. A more complete description will be available in the Consent Solicitation Statement filed in connection with the Proposed Transaction. Investors and stockholders may obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of AESE and its directors and executive officers with respect to the Proposed Transaction by reading the proxy statement and other filings referred to above.
Investor Contact: Lasse Glassen
Addo Investor Relations
[email protected]
424-238-6249
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