Bilzerian, Kade exchange barbs on Twitter in response to GGPoker signing Bilzerian as an ambassador
GGPoker announced a partnership with controversial figure Dan Bilzerian Thursday, with the online poker network bringing on Bilzerian as a GGPoker Ambassador.
That decision has sparked some backlash in the poker community. Poker pro and Twitch streamer Vanessa Kade gave her thoughts on the matter in a tweet Thursday, responding to a GGPoker post announcing the signing:
"Sponsoring a sleazy, sexist tool with toxic followers as poker’s biggest ambassador lends validity to the idea that he’s an accurate representation of our sport," Kade wrote in the tweet. "Not unlike supporting a president with similar traits because he would benefit our bottom line. Not worth the price."
Kade isn't the only member of the poker community that shared a similar sentiment on the signing. The new partnership sparked a discussion on social media that has poker players discussing the merits of GGPoker bringing in Bilzerian as one of the faces of the company.
The comments made by Kade, however, caught the attention of Bilzerian:
Bilzerian's comment on an exchange between Kade and poker pro Melissa Burr prompted Kade to respond with more thoughts om Bilzerian's qualifications as a poker ambassador:
"I literally use "does he follow Dan Bilzerian" as a dating filter because it tells me enough about their character that I know they’re probably tacky, sleazy, and superficial," Kade tweeted. "I want a man, not a child who idealizes a guy who desperately pays women to make himself seem cool."
Kade continued with thoughts on the potential impact of GGPoker's signing of Bilzerian on the poker economy:
"The idea that this guy is being validated as the face of poker really sucks," Kade continued. "When I tell someone I’m a poker player it’s not what I hope they envision and doesn’t make me proud to be a part of it. Also, how does it make us look in terms of trying to legalize online poker?"
Phil Nagy offers to back Kade in a $25/$50 heads-up match against Bilzerian
Winning Poker Network CEO Phil Nagy offered his thoughts on the GGPoker partnership with Bilzerian:
Nagy then offered to back Kade in a potential heads-up poker match against Bilzerian, which would certainly qualify as must-see poker television if it actually happened:
"I am happy to back Kade (if she wants) 25/50 HU VS DanB. I don’t care what site they play on. And what now?" tweeted Nagy.
Kade turned down the offer, and for now, a mythical Kade vs. Bilzerian heads-up match is off the table.
"I dunno, I think it would be bad for @danbilzerian’s already vulnerable brand if he lost to some random Canadian hoe in a onesie," Kade tweeted. "Seems like a fragile guy, better not."
