Peyton Manning Brings World Series of Poker Back to ESPN Exclusive

According to an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter, former NFL superstar Peyton Manning is bringing the World Series of Poker (WSOP) back to ESPN through his production company. Manning, not only an iconic figure in football but also active in media production in recent years, marks a significant turning point in WSOP's television rights.

WSOP had long aired on ESPN, but in recent years, broadcasting rights became fragmented, with some events moving to digital platforms like PokerGO. Manning's involvement is expected to reintroduce the WSOP to a broader traditional TV audience, especially ESPN's sports fan base. It is reported that Manning himself is passionate about poker, having participated in the WSOP Main Event multiple times and maintaining strong ties with the poker community.

Specific details of the partnership have not yet been announced, but it is anticipated that Manning's production company will handle content production and promotion for WSOP events, aligning them more closely with mainstream sports programming standards. As the largest sports television network in the United States, ESPN will provide prime-time slots for WSOP, significantly boosting its exposure.

Industry observers believe that Manning's star power combined with ESPN's reach will attract more newcomers to poker and drive growth in prize pools and participation numbers. WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart stated: "Manning's love for poker and his experience in sports media will help us present the events in a new way."

As of now, WSOP officials have not confirmed a specific broadcast schedule, but it is expected that the new season will debut on ESPN simultaneously with the start of the 2026 summer series. Poker enthusiasts can look forward to higher-quality broadcasts and richer narrative content, including player stories, hand analysis, and special appearances by Manning.