This is a good point. Both got a big boost to their personal brands with this, which is worth potentially far more than any wins/losses in the challenge itself.
Hmmm, not so sure on all of this. Good for poker yes, for Polk, yes, for Negreanu - I do not see how.
Poker got a boost with the challenge primarily because Negreanu is so polarizing - Polk is also to a degree. So what people were watching was a 'battle royale' hoping to see some pain inflicted. I think its typical of the poker industry to spin it one way or another whereas in most sport/competition people would accept a loss as being a loss.
If Dustin Johnson played Rory McIlroy 'heads up' in a series of golf rounds, many would watch and one could argue it was good for golf. However, if Johnson handed McIlroy his butt no one would say it had been great for McIlroys image, or that it would improve his game (?).
The other issue that Negreanu cannot escape after leaving
pokerstars was is his inability to live stream the
wsop and keep his public image intact. Prior to this it had been well tended but it fell apart in summer as he lost his temper repeatedly and ranted in a truly vulgar manner. He has kept that up on the DAT podcast and of course numerous times during his post 'challenge' interviews against Polk.
The fanboys might be fine with that but I think to neutrals it has left a bad taste in the mouth. Certainly from my perspective Negreanu's image has declined this year.