MONTREAL, May 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Ronaldo makes
announcement via personal video to his 103 million Facebook
fans
Portuguese football/soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Team PokerStars as
a brand ambassador and will promote the game and the brand in
global marketing campaigns, PokerStars, an Amaya Inc. (TSX:AYA)
brand, announced today.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150527/747417 )
The superstar player announced his new role via a personal video
placed on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Cristiano)
where he is the most followed person on the ubiquitous social site
with more than 103 million fans. In addition to his huge
Facebook following, he has amassed over 35.5 million followers on
Twitter.
"I like playing for winning teams and PokerStars is the perfect
partner for me," Ronaldo said. "As a brand, it is always looking at
ways to improve and stay ahead of the curve, and as an athlete that
is something I truly respect. I started playing poker a few years
ago and I love the competition, strategy and fun. I'm looking
forward to taking my game to the online and live poker tables and
meeting my fans head to head. Although football is my world, poker
has always been my game. I'm very excited to join the team."
"The poker table is not a new arena for athletes, as many have,
over the years, sought other ways to satisfy their love for
competition, and pursue challenges. Ronaldo is one of the most
famous names in the world and PokerStars is thrilled to partner
with him. We look forward to him spreading his love of the game
worldwide by sharing his PokerStars experiences with his huge
social following and fan base," said Michael Hazel, interim CEO of PokerStars.
Amaya Chairman and CEO David
Baazov said: "Ronaldo is part of a new generation of global
superstar athletes that work hard, play smart and encourage their
fans to share in their lives. We're proud that Ronaldo - and
fellow elite player Neymar Jr - have chosen to make PokerStars a
partner in their journey and to share their love of the game of
poker with their legions of fans."
Ronaldo is one of the most successful and popular sports stars
in the world, and is often labelled as one of the greatest players
of all time. Known for his blistering speed and astounding ability
to score goals, the current World Footballer of the Year will take
up a new challenge, this time on the green felt of poker
tables.
Ronaldo will promote PokerStars in advertising campaigns, and
make special appearances in major live events and online poker
tournaments. An event scheduled for later this year will even see
his fans win a chance to meet and challenge him at the poker
table.
Ronaldo has secured his standing as a footballing great and has
been awarded with various honours including three FIFA Ballon d'Or
World Player of the Year awards, two Champions League medals, a
treasure chest of domestic league titles and multiple scoring
records. As the newest member of Team PokerStars, Ronaldo joins a
winning team of some of the best poker players in the world, as
well as other renowned athletes including one of football's
all-time greats Ronaldo Nazário, Olympic gold winning field hockey
captain Fatima Moreira de Melo,
Brazil's star striker and team
captain Neymar Jr, and 14-time tennis Grand Slam winner
Rafa Nadal.
Ronaldo will play on PokerStars under the User ID
'C.Ronaldo'.
This is the second major signing by PokerStars this month,
having announced Neymar Jr as a brand ambassador on May 7. The signings are part of the company's
investment in attracting mainstream consumers to poker.
About PokerStars
PokerStars.com and PokerStars.eu operate globally under licenses
from the Isle of Man and
Malta governments, respectively.
PokerStars also holds separate government licenses in the
United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
PokerStars is a member of The Rational Group, which operates
gaming-related businesses and brands, including PokerStars, Full
Tilt and the European Poker Tour. PokerStars is owned by Amaya Inc.
(TSX: AYA).