Esports
NBA gives 2K League dramatic facelift, makes job cuts
The NBA has undertaken a major revamp to its esports competition, the 2K League, turning it into an influencer- and celebrity-led digital entertainment business in a bid to halt dwindling audiences.
Pereira departs as IOC’s esports head
Vincent Pereira has stepped down as head of esports at the International Olympic Committee after two and a half years in the role, less than a month after the governing body announced plans to create the Olympic Esports Games.
Adidas returns to Saudi esports scene with World Cup sponsorship
Adidas has taken a significant sponsorship position at the inaugural edition of the Esports World Cup, taking place in Saudi Arabia next month
IOC readies Esports Olympics but ‘red lines’ remain on type of games
The International Olympic Committee has taken its most decisive action in esports after six years of assessing the industry, today (Friday) announcing plans to create the Olympic Esports Games
Brown swaps ECB for Blast as commercial director
Blast, the international esports tournament organiser, has appointed former England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) commercial executive James Brown as its new commercial director
CoD League reforms end pro gaming’s US sports cosplay
ActivisionBlizzard, the publisher and operator of the Call of Duty League, has formally abandoned its dream of replicating the US professional sports model in esports, waiving and refunding all franchise entry fees for the CoD League’s constituent teams in a bid to save the competition.
Riot Games promotes Mulhall to global esports role
Riot Games has promoted David Mulhall to a global role overseeing its entire esports sponsorship portfolio in recognition of his work building the commercial strategy for the Valorant Esports property.
ESL FACEIT agrees deal to develop Saudi esports masterplan
ESL FACEIT Group has agreed a wide-ranging five-year deal with Qiddiya City that will see it play a key role in the development of a gaming and esports district in Saudi Arabia.
G2 Esports appoints Logitech G’s Christiansson in leadership shift
G2 Esports, one of the few profitable teams in the gaming industry, has appointed former Logitech G and Dreamhack executive Henning Christiansson to be its new commercial director as it looks to move on from a period of upheaval.
In-game digital buys becoming key revenue stream for esports teams
A shift in the esports revenue distribution model away from prioritising sponsorship to focus more on in-game digital purchases is set to become the new norm, industry experts have predicted.
Sony becomes founding partner of Saudi-backed Esports World Cup
The Sony Group has announced a multi-year agreement to become a founding partner of the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup, which takes place this summer in the kingdom’s capital city, Riyadh.
Rollbit adds FaZe Clan esports sponsorship to expanding portfolio
Cryptocurrency casino Rollbit has signed a ‘multi-million dollar’ shirt sponsorship with Los Angeles-based esports organisation FaZe Clan in a deal focused outside the US.
Sky Deutschland leverages OTT brand in Virtual Bundesliga sponsorship
Wow, the streaming platform of Sky Deutschland, is to give its name to the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) under a new sponsorship agreement announced by the German Football League (DFL) this morning
EA Sports expands Uefa link-up, eEuro venture set to launch
EA Sports FC 24 will feature a Uefa Euro 2024 add-on next summer as part of a new deal between football’s European governing body and video game developer EA Sports that will also include the launch of an eEuro esports tournament.
Saudi Prince steps in as Marinescu departs IESF presidency
Vlad Marinescu has stepped down as president of the International Esports Federation (IESF), with HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family, taking on the role in an acting capacity.
Blast secures €12.7m in latest funding round
Esports tournament organiser Blast has secured €12.7m ($13.5m) in new funding, which it says will help fuel its global expansion plans and enhance its in-house production, broadcast and technology offerings.
Andalusia claims sponsorship first with two-year Riot Games deal
The regional government of Andalusia claims it is the first tourist destination to sponsor a major global esports competition after giving its backing to events run by video game publisher Riot Games between…
Veloce secures $50m investment from GEM Digital
Veloce Media Group, a UK-based gaming and sports media company, has announced a major investment commitment of $50m (€46m) from digital asset investment firm GEM Digital Limited.