Gordon was approached by Tony DeRosa-Grund of ProjoPoker, an online poker site, to be co-host and analyst for the show and to bring in pro poker players to appear on it. Gordon wanted to move from cable to a broadcast network and hired a lawyer to get out of his contract with Bravo, which aired Celebrity Poker Showdown. Gordon and DeRosa-Grund signed a contract in December 2005 under which Gordon was to host 26 episodes of the show for $340,000. Projo had 15 days to make a $170,000 payment to Gordon after signing the contract, but failed to do so. Gordon sued Projo and DeRosa-Grund for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation. The court found that DeRosa-Grund told Gordon the CBS deal was done even though he knew it might not go through, and awarded Gordon over $600,000. DeRosa-Grund recently lost an appeal and Gordon told PokerNews.com "He has moved to Texas and filed for bankruptcy to avoid dealing with the consequences. He's tried to use the judicial system to his advantage all the way, but we are not going to stop until this is settled."
I've always felt that Phil Gordon was one of the best poker TV commentators, and it's a pity we don't see him on shows any more. He was always willing to criticize play, and was one of the best poker teachers (his Little Green Book is still regarded as one of the best introductory no-limit hold 'em books).
For more information see:
- summary of the original case;
- more detail on the original case, plus the appeal; and
- CBS's press release about the show.
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