The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
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Orangutan Gaming Partners With Esportz.in
Orangutan Gaming, an India-based esports organization, has entered into a strategic media partnership with the gaming media platform Esportz.in.
- India-based esports organization Orangutan Gaming has entered into a strategic media partnership with the gaming media platform Esportz.in.
- The collaboration focuses on amplifying Orangutan Gaming’s digital presence through media coverage, cross-promotional opportunities, and collaborative content creation.
- The partnership includes joint efforts in community engagement, the development of educational resources, and the integration of gaming technologies.
100 Thieves Explains its Participation in the Esports World Cup
100 Thieves President Jacob Toft-Andersen has clarified the organization’s involvement with the Esports World Cup, a major tournament series backed by the Saudi Arabian government.
- 100 Thieves has joined the Esports World Cup (EWC) Club Support program, which provides financial incentives to organizations for building new rosters and promoting the Saudi-backed event.
- Despite joining the support program, 100 Thieves President Jacob Toft-Andersen confirmed the organization will not be fielding any teams to compete in the EWC this year.
- The organization intends to use the EWC funding to support its goal of re-entering competitive titles such as CS2, Apex Legends, and Fortnite.
30 Teams Selected for the Esports World Cup Club Support Program
The Esports World Cup Foundation has finalized the selection of 30 professional esports organizations for its inaugural Club Support Program.
- The Esports World Cup Foundation has selected 30 esports clubs for its Club Support Program, expanding the original allocation of 28 slots due to the high quality of over 150 applications.
- Selected organizations include major global entities such as 100 Thieves, Cloud9, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, G2 Esports, Gen.G, Team Liquid, T1, TSM, and Team Vitality.
- The program provides six-figure funding to help organizations enter new gaming titles, expand into international markets, and develop new content verticals to improve infrastructure.
Carry1st Africa Cup Announced: Call of Duty: Mobile Tournament
Carry1st, an Africa-based mobile games publisher, has announced the launch of the Carry1st Africa Cup, a regional esports tournament featuring Call of Duty: Mobile.
- Carry1st has announced the 'Carry1st Africa Cup,' a Call of Duty: Mobile tournament featuring a total prize pool of $15,000 USD.
- The competition is open to players and teams from six African nations: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa.
- Registration for the tournament opens on May 27, 2024, via the official Carry1st website, with teams consisting of five players each.
College Street Fighter Tour Coming to CECC Texas 2025
Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) has announced a partnership with Capcom to launch the College Street Fighter Tour, a new competitive initiative for the collegiate esports landscape.
- Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) has partnered with Capcom to launch the College Street Fighter Tour, with finals scheduled for the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) Texas in 2025.
- Street Fighter 6 joins Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, and Valorant as an official competitive title within the CECC ecosystem.
- Esports industry veteran Wim Stocks, formerly of Beyond Gaming, Collegiate Starleague, and Virgin Gaming, has been appointed as the commissioner of the new tour.
European Esports Federation Elects New President and Board Members
The European Esports Federation (EEF) held its annual General Assembly in Warsaw, Poland, to formalize new leadership and solidify its standing within the international esports community.
- The European Esports Federation (EEF) has officially been recognized by both the Global Esports Federation (GEF) and the International Esports Federation (IESF) as the primary governing body representing Europe.
- Andrzej Kraśnicki, the former president of the Polish Olympic Committee, was elected as the new president of the EEF during the organization's annual General Assembly in Warsaw.
- The newly elected EEF board includes prominent industry figures such as British Esports Federation President Chester King and IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski.
British Esports Federation President Heads to Riyadh for GREAT FUTURES
British Esports Federation President Chester King is scheduled to participate in the GREAT FUTURES event, held May 14–15, 2024, at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- British Esports Federation President Chester King is attending the GREAT FUTURES event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for May 14–15, 2024.
- The event aims to foster cooperation between UK businesses and the Saudi Arabian government to support the country's Vision 2030 initiative.
- This participation follows a formal collaboration agreement established between the British Esports Federation and the Saudi Esports Federation in October 2023.
IESF Fully Embraces the One-China Principle
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has formally issued a foreign affairs statement declaring its full support for the One-China Principle.
- The International Esports Federation (IESF) has issued a formal statement fully endorsing the One-China Principle, recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government and Taiwan as a part of China.
- The IESF will adhere to the 'Olympic model' for future events, requiring the Taiwan delegation to participate under the name and emblem of 'Chinese Taipei' in accordance with the 1979 Nagoya Resolution.
- This policy shift follows the IESF's announcement that the Asian Esports Championship will be held in Chengdu, China, in September 2024.
Christian McCaffrey’s Logan Bowl Kicks Off May 3
The Christian McCaffrey Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio-based esports organization eFuse, hosted the second annual Logan Bowl on May 3, 2024.
- The Christian McCaffrey Foundation is hosting the second annual Logan Bowl, a bracket-style Madden NFL 24 tournament, on May 3, 2024, to raise funds for children's hospitals.
- The event is facilitated through a partnership with the Ohio-based esports company eFuse.
- The 2023 inaugural tournament successfully raised over $150,000 and provided gaming consoles to six cities across the United States.
ESIC Launches Global Esports Industry Advisory Board
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has established a Global Esports Industry Advisory Board to provide strategic guidance on critical issues affecting the competitive gaming sector.
- The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has launched a new Global Esports Industry Advisory Board to provide expert guidance on critical industry challenges.
- The board's inaugural members include David Neichel, SVP of Public & International Affairs at ESL FACEIT Group, and Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST.
- The advisory board will meet as required to address strategic issues and ensure ESIC’s initiatives align with current and future industry needs.
GameSquare, Dairy MAX Team Up in Fortnite
GameSquare, a publicly traded gaming and esports company, has partnered with the non-profit organization Dairy MAX to launch a branded experience within Fortnite.
- GameSquare has partnered with Dairy MAX to launch a 'Farm Tycoon' map within Fortnite, developed using Unreal Engine for Fortnite (UEFN) by GameSquare’s Moonlight Studios.
- The collaboration is part of the 'Level Unlocked' initiative, a program launched in July 2023 designed to promote balanced nutrition and healthy habits to the gaming community.
- The campaign features promotional support from prominent Fortnite content creators, including Chica, SanchoWest, and TBNRFrags.
Berlin International Gaming Jumps Into Fortnite
Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has officially entered the competitive Fortnite landscape, marking a strategic expansion of its global esports footprint.
- German esports organization Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has entered the Fortnite competitive scene by signing professional players Lycian “Kiduoo” Kubelt and Troy “Kiro” Alexis.
- The primary objective for the new roster is to compete in the Esports World Cup held this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- BIG plans to expand its Fortnite division by signing at least two additional players to eventually support 4v4 competitive formats.