The Esports Advocate
Esports business news: deals, legal, and governance.
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OverActive Media Confirms all OWL Franchise Fees Have Been Waived
OverActive Media has officially confirmed that Activision Blizzard has waived all outstanding franchise entry fees for the Overwatch League (OWL).
- OverActive Media has confirmed that Activision Blizzard has waived all outstanding Overwatch League (OWL) entry fees, valued at approximately $8.2M CAD ($6M USD).
- The fee waiver will be reflected in OverActive Media's fourth-quarter 2023 financial results.
- The waiver was part of a broader agreement announced in June 2023, which included a sponsorship deal between the Overwatch League and the Toronto Defiant, totaling an overall value of $10.8M CAD ($8.04M USD).
Gaming & Esports Executives Line Up to Speak at Saudi-Backed New Global Sport Conference
The New Global Sport Conference, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, serves as a high-level networking and strategic forum for the international gaming and esports sectors.
- Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Esports Federation are hosting the New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh to facilitate high-level bilateral meetings between international gaming executives and Saudi government-backed entities.
- The event serves as a strategic platform for potential business deals between Western esports/gaming companies and Saudi-owned organizations like Savvy Games Group and ESL FACEIT Group.
- Key industry leaders scheduled to speak include executives from Sony, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Sega of America, Krafton India, NCSOFT, and Moonton Games.
Riot Games Approves Astralis Transfer of LEC Slot to Karmine Corp
Riot Games has officially approved the transfer of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) slot from Astralis to Karmine Corp.
- Riot Games has approved the transfer of Astralis's LEC slot to Karmine Corp, with the team set to debut in the 2024 LEC Winter Split.
- The LEC slot transfer is valued at approximately $27.4 million USD (DKK 194M), with Astralis retaining all proceeds from the sale.
- The transaction involves the creation of a new entity, AK-Game SAS, with Karmine Corp acquiring an initial 66.67% stake for $18.22 million USD (DKK 129M).
Team Liquid Signs Nihachu as a Brand Ambassador
Team Liquid has officially signed German-language content creator Nihachu as a brand ambassador, marking a strategic expansion of the organization’s influencer roster.
- Team Liquid has signed German-language content creator Nihachu as a brand ambassador to headline its partnership with PC manufacturer Alienware.
- Nihachu brings a combined social media and streaming audience of nearly 11 million followers across platforms including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
- As part of the deal, Nihachu will host the Team Liquid YouTube series 'Two People Talking,' succeeding Jeremy 'Disguised Toast' Wang.
New Meta Entertainment Partners With Ruderman Family Foundation
New Meta Entertainment (NME), the parent company of the esports organization Dignitas and the women’s gaming broadcast platform Raidiant, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation.
- New Meta Entertainment, the parent company of Dignitas and Raidiant, has entered a partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, naming the organization its official mental health partner.
- The Ruderman Family Foundation is providing an undisclosed grant to Dignitas to support initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for esports professionals and gaming fans.
- The collaboration includes the development of fan-focused digital activations featuring Dignitas talent, such as Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf and Shaun “AussieAntics” Cochrane.
International Olympic Committee Seeks to Create Olympic Esports Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally initiated efforts to establish a dedicated Olympic Esports Games.
- IOC President Thomas Bach has officially directed the newly formed IOC Esports Commission to study and develop plans for a dedicated Olympic Esports Games.
- The initiative follows the IOC's strategic goal to engage with the global gaming audience, which includes an estimated 3 billion players and 500 million individuals specifically interested in esports.
- The IOC maintains a strict policy against including 'violent' games in its competition, effectively barring major titles like Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, and Valorant from medal consideration.
Madden NFL 24 Championship Series: Most Feared Kicks Off Oct. 18
Electronic Arts has announced the return of the Madden NFL 24 Championship Series (MCS 24) with the "Most Feared Challenge," a monthly tournament fixture designed to sustain engagement throughout the competitive season.
- Electronic Arts launched the 'Most Feared' tournament on October 18 as part of a new monthly event structure for the Madden NFL 24 Championship Series (MCS 24).
- The 'Most Feared' event features a $125,000 prize pool and awards qualification points toward the 2024 Ultimate Madden Bowl.
- MCS 24 registration numbers have increased by 10% compared to the entire MCS 23 season, with over 48,000 games played to date.
Microsoft Completes $68.7B Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Microsoft finalized its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard on October 13, 2023, marking the most expensive transaction in the history of the gaming industry.
- Microsoft officially completed its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard on October 13, 2023, marking the most expensive deal in the history of the gaming industry.
- The acquisition concluded following final approval from the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which was secured after Microsoft agreed to a licensing deal granting cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft.
- Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and the company's board of directors resigned, though Kotick will remain as CEO of the new Activision Blizzard King division through the end of 2023 to assist with the transition.
NRG Esports Rides With KIA America into Worlds 2023
NRG Esports, a Los Angeles-based professional gaming organization, has entered into a strategic partnership with KIA America.
- NRG Esports has entered into a strategic partnership with KIA America, naming the automaker as the official automotive partner for its League of Legends team.
- The partnership coincides with the team's participation in the 2023 League of Legends World Championship.
- The collaboration includes prominent KIA branding on official team jerseys and across NRG’s social media and streaming channels.
British Esports Partners With Saudi Esports Federation
British Esports entered a strategic partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation in October 2023, aiming to foster international collaboration through cultural exchange programs, mentorship, and joint educational initiatives.
- British Esports has entered a formal partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation to collaborate on talent development, cultural exchange, and educational initiatives.
- The partnership includes joint efforts in internships, mentorship programs, and research projects, as well as plans to bring athletes to the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland and the 2024 Gamers8 competitions in Riyadh.
- The announcement triggered significant community backlash, with critics citing concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the potential safety of LGBTQ+ participants at events in the region.
EA Reveals Details on Apex Legends Global Series Year 4
Electronic Arts has announced the structure and financial details for Year 4 of the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS), signaling a continued commitment to its competitive ecosystem.
- Electronic Arts has announced the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Year 4, featuring a total prize pool of $5 million across three major LAN events.
- The Year 4 LAN schedule consists of the Split 1 Playoffs ($1M), Split 2 Playoffs ($1M), and the year-end Championship ($2M).
- ALGS Year 3 saw significant growth, including a 19% year-on-year increase in participation, a 22% increase in total watch time (47.9M hours), and a 13% increase in average minute audience (130,383).
International Esports Federation Appoints HRH Prince Faisal as Acting President
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has appointed HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud as its acting president, effective October 2023.
- The International Esports Federation (IESF) has appointed HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud as acting president, effective immediately, following the resignation of Vlad Marinescu.
- This appointment creates a direct link between the IESF and the Saudi Arabian government, as HRH Prince Faisal is a member of the Saudi royal family and president of the Saudi Esports Federation.
- The move establishes a formal connection between the IESF and Savvy Games Group, which owns major industry entities including ESL FACEIT Group and VSPO, and is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.