The Veteran of the NFL, ISI and SFX/Clear Channel Peter Hughes Takes Helm to Oversee Management Responsibilities At WPT.

WPT Enterprises, Inc. has reached into the NFL's and Clear Channel's playbook to secure a leading sports executive as its new COO. Peter Hughes, most recently Executive Vice President for SFX Sports Group, a division of Clear Channel Entertainment, will join the company on January 23 to manage the day-to-day operations and help leverage the company's global growth.

"We are very excited to have a leader of his proven talents in both sports and business join our management team," said Steve Lipscomb, Founder and CEO of WPT Enterprises, Inc. in announcing Hughes' hiring. "Peter's coming on board will inspire our entire company and free me up to focus on fulfilling our strategic vision for WPTE, the WORLD POKER TOUR(R), WPTonline.comsm, the PROFESSIONAL POKER TOURsm and other future properties. Peter will help guide us, the players and the poker community as we continue evolving poker into a global sport."

Hughes will oversee the production, marketing, licensing, sponsorship, business development and website for WPTE properties domestically and internationally. The WORLD POKER TOUR(R) is now seen in 130 countries and territories.

"WPT Enterprises is one of the most exciting and dynamic ventures in the sports and entertainment business today," said Hughes. "Its explosive growth and worldwide impact is only now beginning to be truly felt. WPTE presents an enormous opportunity for me to help coalesce its various divisions and provide the kind of direction that will lay groundwork for its long-term business expansion, and the global growth of poker as a sport."

As EVP at SFX Sports, a global leader in sports marketing, talent representation, special events and television, Hughes acted in a COO capacity, working with the various divisions of SFX Sports-basketball, baseball, football, soccer, hockey, golf, tennis, events, marketing, media, financial services and Australian operations. He was also involved in numerous international sports programs while at the company. Hughes was tapped for his role after SFX/Clear Channel acquired Integrated Sports International, of East Rutherford, NJ, a highly respected sports marketing company that he helped to establish in 1993.

At ISI, Hughes served as Vice President, Business Development, creating licensing programs for top brands including Cadillac, Notre Dame, Wheaties and the Association of Professional Volleyball Players (AVP). He also led or worked on teams that provided strategic consulting for such clients as AOL, Burger King, FootAction, Disney Attractions, Anaheim Angels, the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers. Hughes also created premium merchandise for such companies as Little Caesars, Burger King and Sara Lee. Additionally, he was involved with the career development and marketing strategy for players on the SFX talent roster.

Before joining ISI, Hughes got his start in the sports business with the National Football League. After a two-year stint working for Dell Publishing as financial manager from 1983-5, he was called upon by the National Football League to be financial manager for its publishing division. But Hughes' talents were spotted early and he was soon directed to a position as senior director of the NFL's Retail Licensing Program, responsible for maximizing profits in publishing, collectibles, trading card and player categories. In 1990, he played a key role in the formation of the NFL Quarterback Club, which packaged the game's top quarterbacks as a marketing powerhouse. He helped this startup venture generate significant licensing and endorsement revenue for each player involved. The program he designed lasted a dozen years and attracted marquee sponsors like Domino's, Upper Deck, and DirecTV, under his watch.

WPTE launched the poker phenomenon when it first aired the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) on the Travel Channel, March 30, 2003. It continues to lead the way in developing poker as a major international sport. The highest rated show ever on The Travel Channel, the WPT is now seen in 130 countries and territories worldwide. WORLD POKER TOUR(R) airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Channel in the U.S.

Source: WPT


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