By David Richardson

09/08/2008

                By now we’ve all heard the buzz that started shortly after the 2008 Olympics when it became known athlete extraordinaire Michael Phelps had been turning his focus to online poker.  After winning a record breaking 8 gold medals at a single Olympics it’s only sensible that he should become a hot commodity for promotions.  The only questions had been which online poker rooms will the one to entice Phelps?

                It seems we may now have the answer and naturally the Olympic legend is leaning towards a legend of poker, Doyle Brunson.  After Phelps stated while training for Beijing he was really getting into online poker it set into motion a worldwide fight for the highly visible athlete.  Even associations like the Asian Poker Tour have been trying to lure Phelps on to their team.

                Before the Olympics were even over it was evident that Phelps wouldn’t in want for promotional deals and has yet to announce in such dealings within the online poker world.  However, recent news has surfaced that the aquatic champion has been keeping company with Doyle and Todd Brunson during a recent trip to Las Vegas.  Being so interested in poker Phelps was already familiar with the poker pro prior to his trip and it was Phelps that sought out Brunson.

                The focused young man that he is, Phelps seems hell bent on dominating poker table as he has the pool and wanted to learn a few things from the Texas Dolly.  So of course Brunson obliged not only giving him one-on-one time but also bringing Phelps his poker manuals the Super System 1 &2. 

Nothing solid yet has been stated as to whether Phelps will sign on as a celebrity team player for Brunson’s online poker room, Doyle’s Room, but it appears Brunson is the front runner in snatching up Phelps.  Brunson’s poker room is open to U.S. players and of late has been enjoying success, even surpassing the BoDog network in real money players.  A spokesperson like Phelps could be just what Doyle’s Room needs to push through and become one of the giants of online poker.