NBA Meets Online Poker in BetClic Deal

March 2 - The French gaming group, BetClic, has announced the signing onboard of one of the biggest athletes in the world.

NBA champion, Tony Parker, will become BetClic's new face as he joins the online poker room's Team BetClic and other well known international athletes.

Parker, best known for abilities on the basketball court as well as his marriage to Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria, will represent BetClic in its online poker room in a lucrative three year deal.

BetClic, which targets European poker players, has already signed on other top athletes, including Stefan Effenberg and Marcel Desailly,

Parker's French connections helped him earn entry into the European side of online poker. The player was part of a French national basketball team before he became a professional and entered the NBA draft in 2001.

Parker went on to become one of the brightest stars on the NBA courts, being named MVP in 2007 in the finals, and helping his team, the San Antonio Spurs, climb to victory in no less than three championships.

Online poker players can join Tony Parker and other successful champs by playing poker at BetClic.

The online poker room said in a statement: "We are delighted to welcome Tony Parker in the Team Betclic. He is a great ambassador for the brand. Tony represents the strong values of excellence and ethics in sports that we share. This new partnership reflects our commitment to continue our development in the sport by adding great champions to our team."

"This will a great adventure," said Parker about the deal. "BetClic is a leading company with big ambitions and I am very happy to contribute to its development in the sport during the coming years."