As the 2008 WSOP was coming to a close a few days ago, Pauly and I couldn’t help but notice that there seemed to be no new sponsors that weren’t already around for in the summer. Disappointing, sure — but maybe it’s just the general economy?

I began to speculate that WSOP marketing honcho Tye Stewart must be in BIG trouble, dude! couldn’t have been too happy that the most celebrated deal inked between July and November was an extended contract with Johnny Chan’s All In Energy Drink. About 10 minutes later, though, Jeffrey Pollack was speaking to the crowd, giving specific thanks and extreme kudos to Stewart as the successful, hard-working architect of the The November Nine vision. And indeed, we now know the broadcast returned some admirable TV numbers; and even as players got eliminated, there were lines of people in the Rio hallways to fill the Penn & Teller Theater’s 1,200 seats. So maybe now, with something definitive to sell potential backers in the future, what looked a little disappointing while riding up and down the escalators is actually a sign of better things to come?

Below is a pictorial look at some added value for official WSOP banners (and inflatables) in action:

Milwaukee’s Best Light’s been good to poker (and presumably vice-versa) but their contract is about to expire (if it hasn’t already). Will they re-up? Overall the beer is supposedly the lowest performer for the newly merged MillerCoors (despite having Phil Hellmuth’s picture on cans) yet the WSOP might be all that’s keeping it alive.

All In Energy will be the official mock-amphetamine beverage of the WSOP for at least a few (two?) more years.

As mentioned above … Planters: They go great with Milwaukee’s Best Light!

Capriotti’s is still the official sandwich of the WSOP. It really is pretty good grub, but I wonder how much they spent on that clever marketing phrase.

I still don’t know what Gamma-O is, but they have hot girls pushing some sort of testosterone supplement.

For legal and political reasons, Everest Poker is the lone(ly) little online poker sponsor of the WSOP.

Go Corum! They made a pretty cool looking bracelet this year. Not sure how well their high-end brand of wristwear looks on a grubby paw opening an aluminum can of Milwaukee’s Best Light, however.

I’m sure the nut-mobile is energy-efficient. And who wouldn’t want to drive a big nut down the freeway? I wonder if Mr. Peanut actually drives it. He’s been wandering the Rio hallways, so I may try to ask him. “Excuse me, Mr. Peanut, do you drive the nut-mobile?” I hope he would give a funny answer; he’s such a nut.