Mercedes-Benz has renewed its sponsorship of the ESL Premiership. 

As official automotive sponsor, the iconic German car giant will continue to support the competition’s Dota 2 offering for the upcoming season. The company has backed the ESL Premiership’s Dota 2 efforts since it was added to the competition in September last year. 

ESL has already announced several sponsors for the upcoming Autumn 2020 season of the regional United Kingdom and Ireland CS:GO and Dota 2 competition. Intel and AOC Gaming join Mercedes-Benz as returning sponsors, while Razer, Puntt, and Stakester have been welcomed as new partners. 

AYO.NEWS says:

As we said previously, the fact that ESL is managing to keep existing sponsors and attract new ones, both endemic and non-endemic, reflects very well on the health of the ESL Premiership.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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North American esports organisation Panda Global has made three new hires to energise its merchandising projects. 

Leading Panda Global’s merchandising efforts will be former Cirque du Soleil Senior Director, Merchandising, F&B, and Licensing, Terrence Turner. Turner has also held director and leadership positions at major companies including Disney Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and Hallmark Cards. 

Digital illustrator Justin Wharton, and graphic designer Aya Peters, are also joining Panda’s team as merchandise coordinators. 

Wharton is no stranger to the organisation, having worked with it on its limited edition Panda VS apparel line, and has also worked with Team Liquid. Peters also has experience working with various esports organisations, along with major non-esports brands like Planet Hollywood and MGM Resorts. 

Commenting on his appointment, Turner said:

“I am both thrilled and excited to join Panda Global with Alan, David, Aya, Justin and the whole team. The chance to align my passions for merchandising, sports and entertainment and helping to extend the Panda brand is an incredible opportunity. Being new to esports, I’m looking forward to meeting and learning from the entire organization!”

While Peters added:

“I’m happy to collaborate with the team at Panda Global as a Marketing Coordinator during an exciting time of the company’s growth. As a Smash competitor, I’ve always looked to Panda Global as a driving force of good in the community, and it’s a dream come true to leverage my marketing expertise with my love of esports to help further the brand as they continue to grow.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With COVID-19 continuing to hamper real-world esports events, it’s more important than ever for esports organisations to make the most of every opportunity for monetisation – and merchandising can be potentially lucrative in the long-term. Judging by the calibre of talent they just hired, Panda Global clearly appreciates this! 

Staying with esports merchandising, last month UK-based esports apparel brand Raven secured a merchandise license for Call of Duty League. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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New Jersey has unveiled a new initiative to accelerate the development of esports in the state. 

Led by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the effort will see the agency collaborate with industry, local bodies, and other stakeholders, to catalyse the development of the sector, and establish the state as an esports “epicenter.”

Discussing the project, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Tim Sullivan, said:

“As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, finding new ways to bring people together virtually and supporting industries that can thrive without in-person interaction is crucial. Esports are uniquely positioned to address both of these priorities, and the NJEDA is excited to help to bring the benefits of this new industry to communities throughout New Jersey.”

A central plank of the NJEDA’s efforts will be esports betting, which has already established a firm foothold in the state – illustrated perfectly by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approving wagering on the VIE.gg CS:GO Legends Series events, on the same day as the initiative was announced.

Regarding the future of esports betting in the state, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) Director, David L.. Rebuck, said:

“Esports is quickly emerging as an economic and cultural force on par with many other traditional sports, and it is important that New Jersey accommodate the many ways fans engage with their favorite teams and events.

“Allowing betting on esports not only provides more variety for sports wagering enthusiasts, but also makes New Jersey more attractive to the innovative companies that drive this growing industry.”

CF1 leads the way

The NJEDA’s esports initiative will officially launch alongside Conference One (CF1) – a trailblazing new collegiate esports league headquartered in the state, and managed by Gaud-Hammer Gaming Group. 

CF1 plans to create a varsity esports league, featuring teams from around 130 educational institutions. It’s inaugural season is scheduled to commence with Riot Games’ VALORANT in October, with teams organised into four regions (North, South, East, and West). 

Commenting on the planned launch, CEO of Gaud-Hammer Gaming Group, Anthony Gaud, said:

“Finding the ideal location to establish Conference One was challenging. We needed a place with a robust technology infrastructure that could handle the demands of major livestreamed events, a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, and an established sports wagering industry. Not many locations offer all of that, but New Jersey has it all. 

“We look forward to collaborating with the NJEDA and other partners throughout the state to grow Conference One while supporting New Jersey’s emerging status as the hub of the American esports industry.”

Interestingly, the NJEDA has said any individuals or companies with innovative esports ideas are welcome to contact it to discuss possibilities. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With no end in sight to the COVID-19 crisis, and a tsunami of job losses rapidly approaching as furlough schemes end and the full scale of the economic damage becomes apparent, esports offers a rare opportunity to promote investment and growth. And, with its existing gambling infrastructure, and proximity to major US cities, including New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey is ideally placed to emerge as an esports hub. 

Of course, with everywhere else also facing an unprecedented economic slump, we’re sure agencies in other states will be scrambling to launch their own initiatives, so New Jersey will have a fight on its hands to attract the most promising businesses and organisations.  

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

The ESL Premiership has partnered with betting site Puntt, and extended its agreement with wager-based competitive platform Stakester. 

Puntt, which offers a pool betting system enabling fans to bet against other fans, is a new partner for the regional United Kingdom and Ireland competition, and will be sponsoring the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive events.

Meanwhile, Stakester, which first partnered with ESL Premiership for the Spring 2020 season, has extended its deal through Autumn. Stakester enables fans to compete against other fans, betting on their own performance to win cash and merchandise. 

Commenting on the news Brand Partnerships Manager for ESL UK, Dan Ellis, said:

“The partnership with Puntt offers the community a brand new way to engage with the players within the ESL Premiership. The players are able to develop their own communities with fans following their tournament performances closely. Puntt’s passion for developing the grassroot and semi-pro scene matches ours.”

In addition to Puntt and Stakester, Razer and other as yet undisclosed brands, will be sponsoring the ESL Premiership when it returns for Autumn 2020.

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great to see ESL is managing to build a strong sponsorship portfolio for the ESL Premiership this Autumn, and Stakester’s extension suggests they were pleased with the results from Spring. 

Staying with ESL, last week the organiser announced it is bringing the CS:GO Predator League to Europe and the Middle East later in 2020. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Esports Entertainment Group (EEG), operator of the VIE.gg betting platform, has appointed Warwick Bartlett as an independent director. 

A gambling industry veteran, Bartlett was chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers for a decade, chairman of the Bookmakers Committee to the Levy Board for six years, and held a seat on the Horserace betting Levy Board for the same period. 

He is also CEO and owner of specialist international gambling consultancy Global Betting & Gaming Consultants (GBGC), which has worked with or supplied information to more than 600 clients, the majority of whom are blue chip. 

Regarding his appointment Bartlett said:

“I am delighted to Join Esports Entertainment Group’s Board as a non-executive director, and I look forward to working with Grant and his accomplished team. There are some wonderful opportunities in esports gaming, such as the company’s recent acquisition of Argyll Entertainment, which provides Esports Entertainment Group with immediate revenue and the foundation for accelerated growth.” 

While CEO of EEG, Grant Johnson, added:

“Warwick has been instrumental in several major developments in the gambling and iGaming space, and we’re excited to have him on the team. He’s a strong addition to the board as an independent director, and I believe his experience will resonate with the institutional investor community. 

“We have laid the foundation for long-term success with the world’s most transparent esports betting platform. With a strong team, industry-leading partnerships, and significant competitive advantages, Esports Entertainment Group is well positioned for rapid growth in the months ahead.”

EEG CFO Dan Marks has also been appointed to the company’s board. 

Staying with EEG, last week the company announced a partnership with esports odds feed and risk management provider Oddin, while earlier in August, VIE.gg extended its partnership with North American esports organisation Dignitas. 

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International payments giant Visa has announced a partnership with Southeast Asian organisation EVOS Esports.

The collaboration marks Visa’s entry into the Southeast Asian esports scene, and will make Visa the preferred payment solution for fans buying an EVOS Esports membership – entitling them to a 50% discount. EVOS will also be accepting Visa payments for in-game currency and merch purchases.

Commenting on the partnership President Director of Visa Worldwide Indonesia, Riko Abdurrahman, said:

“In line with our vision to be the best way to pay and be paid, for everyone, everywhere, Visa believes in enabling the seamless payment experience to enhance the esports ecosystem in Indonesia, and powering EVOS Esports’ ‘Unlock Your Dreams’ in this collaboration is testament to that.”

EVOS Esports fields Indonesian teams in AOV, Free Fire ID, Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, and Point Blank, and Thai teams in Free Fire MG1, Free Fire Insight, and ROV. In addition to Visa, the organisation also has commercial partnerships with Lazada, Axis, AXE, Sukro, Top Coffee, Popmie, and CBN Fiber. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The Southeast Asian esports scene is huge and growing fast, and the Indonesian market is one of the most promising, so if anything it’s surprising it’s taken Visa this long to jump into a partnership in the region. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020