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The Esports Advocate
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The new organization is set to compete in the Naraka Bladepoint Professional League (NBPL).
Chinese pop singer Li Zhengning has officially entered the professional esports sector by launching KOALA Esports. The new organization is set to compete in the Naraka Bladepoint Professional League (NBPL), a franchise league operated by NetEase. As part of this strategic move, the organization has absorbed the existing roster and operations of the former team YZG Esports.
The launch marks a significant transition for Li, a member of the Chinese boy band UNINE, who maintains a substantial social media presence with 8.4 million followers on Weibo. While Li has previously engaged with the gaming industry through guest shoutcasting for the Naraka Bladepoint World Championship and participation in various esports events for titles such as Honor of Kings and League of Legends, this venture represents his first major investment and formal partnership in the professional esports space.
The organization is scheduled to make its debut during the 2023 NBPL Spring Split, which begins on March 9. Although the formation of the team signals a notable intersection between Chinese celebrity culture and competitive gaming, the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed. The move highlights the ongoing trend of high-profile entertainment figures leveraging their influence to integrate into the professional esports ecosystem in China.
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