September 8, 2008 (InfoPowa News) — A Doyle's Room blog entry over the weekend reporting on a social get together by poker legend Doyle Brunson and son Todd with 14-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Michael Phelps has ignited wide speculation that the poker-loving swimming sensation could become part of the DoylesRoom.com celebrity team.
Backed by a photo of the trio, the blog entry revealed that ten-time WSOP bracelet winners Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson and son Todd had been invited to visit the 23-year-old Phelps during a stay at the Palms Hotel and Casino.
"He had a bunch of his friends from home with him and they were the guests of the Palms Hotel and Casino," blogged Brunson. "I got a call that he was an avid poker fan and wanted to meet me, Todd, and Hoyt Corkins. Jennifer Harman and her husband Marco were also there."
The group enjoyed a convivial evening of talk and dining, and Brunson met a request from Phelps with books he has written on the game.
"Phelps and some of his friends wanted books so I took Super System 1 and 2 to them and they asked all kinds of poker questions. Michael said all he wanted to do in life, was to eat, swim and play poker," Brunson wrote. "We went up to his suite to hang out for a while. His suite had a basketball court, swimming pool, workout room, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. It must have been 15-20 thousand square feet, the nicest one I've ever seen.
"After I had a few beers, I faded away at about 3 in the morning. The party was going strong and I think Michael left two things off what he likes to do. He should add girls and partying. Why not? He deserves to celebrate."
During the Beijing Olympics it became known that Phelps was interested in poker, prompting companies like Betfair and Doyle's Room to issue invitations to play in the big leagues.
Celebrity sports players are good for business, and recent signings have involved Canadian international hockey star Mats Sundin by Pokerstars and famed Aussie cricketer Shane Warne by Pacific Poker.