In a clear sign that Poker has made the top of the Sports world, WPT Enterprises has sued its own television outlet, the Travel Channel, for interfering with WPTE's plans for a new poker series to appear on the top-rated sports network in the country, the ESPN.

At issue is a new proposed show called the "Professional Poker Tour." Travel Channel, in its contract with WPTE, has both the first opportunity to license any show as well as the right of a last refusal. The contract in turn allows WPT to develop other poker-related programming provided it met that first opportunity, last refusal option.

WPTE alleges it proposed its new show in July 2004 but that negotiations with Discovery Communications, Inc., the parent company for the Travel Channel were unsuccessful. The contract specifies a 60-day exclusive window for such negotiations before seeking other options.

Unable to consummate a deal with Discovery, WPTE began shopping the show and the ESPN proposed to license the show on September 12. The offer by the sports network then triggered the 15-day last refusal period for Discovery Communications.

According to WPTE, the response of the Travel Channel parent company was to send threatening letters to WPTE and ESPN, allegedly threatening legal action because the Travel Channel had already licensed the new show. WPTE responded by denying any such license had been granted and then initiated its suit against Discovery Communications.