Igor Kurganov Becomes PokerStars Sponsored Pro

Russian tournament pro Igor Kurganov has just signed a deal with the world’s biggest online poker room, PokerStars, to become one of the brand’s sponsored ambassadors. The announcement helps realize one of his poker dreams, as the 28 year-old said that when he first started playing the game he had aspirations of becoming a PokerStars Team Pro, but soon became more comfortable shying away from the spotlight and concentrating on his own game.
Igor Kurganov has since amassed $12,042,540 from live tournaments, and said that he now feels more at ease amongst the media, and with the image he wants to portray of himself. The Russian may also have been assisted in that regard by his girlfriend of more than three years, Liv Boeree, who has been a member of Team PokerStars Pro since September 2010. Together, the couple started the charitable foundation called Raising for Effective Giving, which raises money for charity project in the developing world, and commenting on his recent appointment, Kurganov said:
“I was kind of surprised when they contacted me. They suggested that I’d come to the offices, meet the people that work there and that I’d have the opportunity to give feedback. On top of that, PokerStars was interested in supporting REG as well, which is great.”
Kurganov has also said that he intends to “donate a significant portion” of the money he makes from his sponsorship deal to REG, in addition to the money he already makes from plying his trade. Last year, Kurganov won $2,309,313 at the tables, including taking down the $25,000 Aria High Roller for $328,155, and this year the pro has another busy schedule planned with PokerStars Championship events to be played in Panama, Macau and Monte Carlo, as well as other live events at the LAPC and Bay 101.
Commenting on PokerStars’ latest sponsored pro, Eric Hollreiser, Vice President of Corporate Communications, stated: “As an outspoken advocate for online and live poker players, he’ll contribute to our products, our policies and our promotion of live and online poker in Russia, Germany and serve as a global ambassador for poker as a member of Team Pro.”

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