The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
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Bayes Esports Named Official Match Data Supplier of the Esports World Cup
Bayes Esports has been appointed as the exclusive official match data supplier for the Esports World Cup, a major international competition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Bayes Esports has been named the exclusive official match data supplier for the Esports World Cup, which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July to August 2024.
- The partnership focuses on safeguarding match data integrity through the use of Bayes Esports’ proprietary technology, including its market monitoring service and data integrity policies.
- The Esports World Cup is a multi-game tournament featuring titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and others.
GameSquare Sells 25.5% Interest in FaZe Media
GameSquare Holdings has finalized the sale of a 25.5% interest in FaZe Media to an entity controlled by Richard “FaZe Banks” Bengston, the current CEO of FaZe Clan.
- GameSquare Holdings sold a 25.5% interest in FaZe Media to an entity controlled by FaZe Clan CEO Richard “FaZe Banks” Bengston for $9.5 million USD.
- The transaction, priced at $1.66 per share, values FaZe Media at approximately $40 million following a previous 49% stake sale to Matt Kalish for $11 million in May 2024.
- GameSquare retains a 25.5% interest in FaZe Media and will continue to consolidate the entity into its financial statements.
Call of Duty League Teams Get Direct Invite to Esports World Cup
All 12 teams within the Call of Duty League (CDL) have received direct invitations to participate in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III competition at the upcoming Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- All 12 Call of Duty League (CDL) teams have received direct invitations to compete in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III tournament at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, scheduled for August 15–18, 2024.
- The Esports World Cup features a $20 million total prize pool for its overall club competition, with the top-performing organization receiving $7 million in addition to individual tournament winnings.
- While no CDL teams have officially confirmed their participation, organizations involved in the Esports World Cup Club Support Program—including FaZe Clan, 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, and OverActive Media—are considered likely candidates to attend.
NODWIN Hires The Esports Club Co-Founder Ishaan Arya
NODWIN Gaming, a prominent South Asia-focused tournament organizer and gaming festival company, has appointed Ishaan Arya as its new Vice President of Sales and Partnerships.
- NODWIN Gaming has appointed Ishaan Arya, co-founder of The Esports Club (TEC), as its new Vice President of Sales & Partnerships.
- In his new role, Arya will oversee brand partnerships and initiatives for NODWIN’s key properties, including BGMS, DreamHack India, the NODWIN India Premiership, Valorant Challengers South Asia, and Comic Con India.
- Prior to this appointment, Arya served as the head of business development at The Esports Club and worked at the Bangalore-based marketing firm Basik Marketing.
Japan e-Sports Union Approved by Japan Olympic Committee
The Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) has secured official recognition as an associate member of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC).
- The Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) has been officially approved as an associate member of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) through March 31, 2027.
- This partnership aims to facilitate the participation of Japanese esports athletes in the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Nagoya, Aichi, in 2026.
- JeSU is currently chaired by Hideki Hayakawa, who also serves as the president of Konami Digital Entertainment.
GCC Esports League 2024 Finals: Riyadh
The Saudi Esports Federation has announced that Riyadh will host the 2024 GCC Esports League Finals, scheduled for June 27–28.
- The Saudi Esports Federation will host the GCC Esports League 2024 Finals in Riyadh on June 27–28, 2024.
- The tournament features a total prize pool of $150,000 USD.
- The competition focuses on two titles: Rocket League and TEKKEN 8.
NIP Group Files for IPO
Ninjas in Pyjamas Group (NIP Group) has officially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Ninjas in Pyjamas Group (NIP Group) has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, aiming to raise up to $5 million USD.
- The company reported $83.7 million in revenue for fiscal year 2023, up from $65.8 million in 2022.
- Despite revenue growth, the organization recorded a net loss of $13.3 million in 2023, compared to a $6.2 million net loss in 2022.
NIP Group Signs Team Flash’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Roster
NIP Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Team Flash Singapore to acquire its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) roster.
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP Group) has entered a strategic partnership to acquire the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) roster of Singapore-based Team Flash.
- The team will compete under the new brand name 'NIP Flash' starting with the MPL Singapore Season 7 playoffs held from June 14–16, 2024.
- The partnership aims to secure a spot for the roster in the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024, which is part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
SOOP Live Streaming Platform Officially Launches
SOOP, a global live streaming platform backed by the South Korean company AfreecaTV, officially launched in June 2024 across web and mobile applications.
- SOOP, a live streaming platform backed by the team behind South Korea-based AfreecaTV, has officially launched on web and mobile.
- The platform has secured broadcast rights for major esports titles, including Riot Games' VCT Pacific, Valorant Challengers Thailand, and the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC).
- SOOP will exclusively broadcast the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League for viewers outside of South Korea and host content from the Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB).
Berlin International Gaming Reveals BIG SELECTA Program
Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has introduced a new talent development initiative, BIG SELECTA, designed to cultivate the next generation of professional esports players in Germany.
- Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has launched 'BIG SELECTA,' a talent development program designed to nurture young esports players and establish foundational career structures.
- The program initially focuses on Counter-Strike 2, with stated intentions to expand into other competitive titles in the future.
- Participants receive professional coaching, workshops, intensive training, personalized development plans, media training, and financial support.
British Esports in Pact With BLAST
British Esports and the UK-based tournament organizer BLAST have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at establishing the United Kingdom as a premier global destination for esports.
- British Esports and tournament organizer BLAST have entered a strategic partnership to promote the UK as a premier destination for international esports competitions.
- The collaboration focuses on five core areas: political lobbying, grassroots development, education, career pathways, and professional development.
- BLAST is hosting two major tier-1 events in London during June 2024—the BLAST Premier Spring Final at Wembley Arena and the RLCS London Major at Copper Box Arena—which are expected to draw over 25,000 live spectators.
Apex Legends Team Serenity Joins Guild to Represent at Esports World Cup
UK-based esports organization Guild Esports has re-entered the competitive Apex Legends scene by signing the Australian-based team Serenity.
- UK-based Guild Esports has re-entered the competitive Apex Legends scene by signing the Australian team Serenity to a one-year contract.
- The move is part of Guild Esports' strategy to compete in multiple titles at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, beginning in July 2024.
- Guild Esports is one of 30 organizations participating in the Esports World Cup Club Support Program, which incentivizes teams to sign rosters across multiple games to compete for a $20 million total prize pool.