Manchester City striker, Sergio Agüero, has launched his own esports organisation, KRÜ Esports.

After taking a long break from the pitch due to an injury sustained earlier this year, Agüero became a popular Twitch streamer, and has now decided to take things a step further, creating his very own esports organisation.

Though specific details are still sketchy, in its reveal trailer KRÜ Esports featured Agüero playing FIFA, Fortnite, League of Legends, and Rocket League, and there was a very international flavour, showing a presence in Argentina, Spain, and North America. 

In a statement on the new KRÜ Esports website, Agüero says:

“I want everyone who joins KRÜ to love what they do, to feel comfortable. Boost them and help them fulfill their dreams. What we do gives us the opportunity to make many people happy and I really like all this. I want more people in the world to know and enjoy it like me.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Did the COVID-19 pandemic spook pro athletes from across the traditional sports world, or were they always going to take to esports like ducks to water? 

In English football, we’ve already seen other pro footballers like Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, and Tottenham forward Gareth Bale, enter the esports world, while in Europe, AC Milan captain and Italian centre back, Alessio Romagnoli also launched his own esports team called “AR13, Team Romagnoli.” 

And, let’s not forget former England midfielder David Beckham hitting the headlines as co-owner of Guild Esports – the first esports listing on the London Stock Exchange. 

Of course, it’s not just in European football we’re seeing pro athletes flock to esports. As we reported only yesterday, across the pond in the United States Pittsburgh Steelers player, JuJu Smith-Schuster, has launched a new esports organisation named Team Diverge. 

‘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.

VENN, the Video Game Entertainment and News Network, has announced “Fall-o’-Ween” in partnership with Gamers.Vote and MTV’s “Vote For Your Life.”

The initiative aims to get out the vote among the gaming community ahead of the inaugural “Vote Early Day” on Saturday, 24 October, and will take the form of a live five-hour broadcast, featuring celebrity cameos and a 40-player charity Fall Guys tournament.

Shot live at VENN’s state-of-the-art broadcast studio in Los Angeles, VENN’s own Chrissy Costanza and Daniel ‘dGon’ Gonzalez will host the event, while celebrities including Felicia Day and Tee Grizzley are set to make appearances. 

The headline Fall Guys tournament will feature a star-studded roster of 40 professional athletes, streamers, and musicians, competing in teams of four, and battling for $40K in prizes for nominated charities. 

Fall-o’-Ween will also see iconic esports organisations 100 Thieves and Dignitas pitted against each other, and sharing a stage with NBA pros including Josh Hart, and platinum recording artists, Wallows. 

Vice President of Social Impact at MTV, Erika Soto Lamb, commented:

“For decades now, MTV has led the charge to mobilize young people to channel their passion into action during critical times for our country.

“The 2020 election is no different so we’re innovating and expanding our reach by partnering with VENN and Gamers.Vote to meet young people where they are to make sure the engaged and passionate gaming community is ready to ‘Vote for Your Life’ ahead of Vote Early Day.”

While CEO of Gamers.Vote, Christie St. Martin, added:

“Our goal at Gamers.Vote is to make sure that every single person in the gaming community that wants to vote has the information they need.

“This election is shaping up to have the highest voter turnout in American history – and young, engaged audiences are critical to determining our future. Early voting is essential to ensuring all votes are counted and all voices heard.”

And, Co-CEO of VENN, Ariel Horn, said:

“The VENN production teams are responsible for some of the most important tentpole global events in gaming and esports history.

“Partnering with MTV and their rich legacy of social impact initiatives, and Gamers.Vote and their critical cause of encouraging early turnout, is both an honor and a commitment we take seriously.”

Fall-o’-Ween will be broadcast live at VENN.tv from 4-9PM PDT, on Friday, October 23, the eve of the inaugural Vote Early Day

AYO.NEWS says:

With the United States facing some of its most significant challenges ever, it’s great to see the gaming industry put together an initiative like this to motivate the gaming community, and we’re sure it will make a significant difference to the turnout. 

Who knows, maybe it could also inspire similar initiatives elsewhere in the world – after all, Gen Z have the numbers to make a real impact, they just need the motivation. 

‘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.

Guild Esports has signed a £3.6M GBP sponsorship deal with an undisclosed European financial technology firm. 

It is the first major sponsorship deal for the London Stock Exchange-listed esports organisation, which is co-owned by David Beckham, and will see the undisclosed European fintech company pay £1.1M in the first year, £1.2M in the second, and £1.3M in the third. 

The agreement will cover jersey sponsorship, branding on live-streams, and other marketing activities, with the name of the sponsor set to be revealed at a ‘global event’ on 22 November. 

Discussing the news Guild Esports Executive Chairman, Carleton Curtis, said:

“We are delighted to announce our first major sponsorship deal which will generate significant revenues for the Company. The rapidly growing mass popularity of esports is attracting considerable interest from advertisers and consumer brands, which has generated a strong pipeline of potential business for Guild.”

Earlier this month, Guild Esports became the first esports organisation to float on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), with its listing giving it a market capitalisation of £41.2M. 

Despite the success of Guild’s LSE listing, and the announcement of the organisation’s first major commercial partnership deal, there has been some controversy over the past week. 

Beckham, who is an investor and co-owner of Guild, also owns a company called Footwork Productions – which was set up to manage and exploit the rights of the former football legend’s name and image. 

And, according to The Esports Observer,  before Beckham invested in Guild, the organisation signed an agreement with Footwork Productions, which will see Beckham paid approximately £15.25M over a five-year period. 

Guild Esports now fields two teams, one each in Rocket League and FIFA, and is set to expand to more titles shortly. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Though some in the industry have questioned the relationship between Guild Esports, Footwork Productions, and David Beckham, the strategy has nonetheless worked in terms of getting Guild Esports noticed, and led to a very successful floatation. 

Whether or not this goes down in the annals of esports history as a cynical trick, or a clever business strategy, will now very much depend on if Guild can capitalise on its initial momentum and generate success, both in terms of tournament results and commercial deals. 

‘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 Philippine Electronic Sports Organisation (PESO) has been accredited as the official “National Sports Association” for esports by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). 

As an associate member and National Sports Association for esports in the country, the PESO will officially represent esports for the country in the eyes of the POC – something which may well rile other Filipino esports associations. 

PESO’s member-organisations include Bren Esports, Gariath Concepts, Mineski Philippines, The Nationals, PlayBook Esports, Tier One Entertainment, TV5 and TNC Holdings.

Discussing the news PESO President, Brian Benjamin Lim, said:

“We are honored and grateful for the trust that the POC placed in us. We embrace this huge responsibility as we continue to support our athletes and push the growth and development of Esports in the country. 

“We also echo POC’s call for unity among esports groups and communities as we all share the same goal to showcase the skills and abilities of Filipino gamers in the world arena and ultimately bring glory to our country.”

PESO is also a member of the International Esports Federation (IESF) – one of the organisations vying for position as esports’ global governing body. One of IESF’s main rivals is the Tencent-backed Global Esports Federation (GEF) – though, so far at least, neither has really struck a chord with the global industry and esports community. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Though there’s sure to be some inter-association political fallout from this, it’s great to see esports gain official recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee. Given that the Global Esports Federation has more than a few Olympic-connected executives in its midst, we wonder if the development will push PESO to switch its support from the IESF to the GEF at some point?

‘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.

Ukraine-based esports organisation HellRaisers has teamed up with Auto International, Mazda’s official distributor and importer in the country.

The partnership will see the Mazda brand promoted via HellRaisers’ videos and media, under the tagline “leaders of the car and esports industries,” and integrated into esports tournaments. An additional activation is also said to be in the works, but no details have been released. 

Discussing the collaboration Chief Business Development Officer at HellRaisers, Tatiana Kuzmenko, said:

“Esports is part of the new reality, which is proved by more than 1.67m Ukrainian fans. We’re very glad to become the first club in the country to launch such a large-scale project with a car brand. 

“We don’t want to just put Mazda’s logo on our channels and jerseys, our goal is to create a truly great and interesting project.”

While Marketing and PR Manager at Auto International, Tatiana Shereme, added:

“Unlike the international practice, no car brand in Ukraine has ever collaborated with an esports organization. For a Ukrainian brand distributor, this is a unique project, and we’re very glad to see our brand become the first car partner and friend of an esports team in Ukraine.”

In August HellRaisers rebranded (after working with the BANDA creative agency), and in September the organisation ended its title sponsorship deal with online betting operator 1xBet after two years. 

The organisation currently fields rosters in Dota 2, CS:GO, and Fortnite.

AYO.NEWS says:

This is an interesting partnership in a couple of ways. Not only is it the first time a Ukrainian esports organisation has partnered with a car manufacturer, but it’s also noteworthy that HellRaisers is moving away from betting sponsorships.

Staying with car manufacturers sponsoring esports, last month Mercedes-Benz was announced as the new global partner of League of Legends esports, while FAW-Audi revealed a deal with Chinese esports organisation TOP Esports (TES). 

‘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.

Pittsburgh Steelers player, JuJu Smith-Schuster, has launched a new esports organisation named Team Diverge. 

Smith-Schuster, a Wide Receiver for the NFL team, is no stranger to the esports scene, having collaborated with FaZe Clan on a limited edition clothing range. However, now has taken the step of launching the “world’s first athlete-led gaming entertainment and lifestyle company”, called Team Diverge. 

The organisation says it has already signed several upcoming content creators, and aims to work with pro players, streamers, celebrities, athletes, and musicians. 

Emphasising the lifestyle aspect of the organisation, Team Diverge will also be releasing a streetwear apparel collection in collaboration with Smith-Schuster’s Team JuJu clothing company – which has already partnered with big names including Adidas, FaZe Clan, and MeUndies. 

A Team Diverge Gaming House, which will act as a HQ for talent, and the streetwear operation, is expected to open in Spring 2021. 

Discussing his plans, Smith-Schuster said:

“In creating my own organization instead of joining one of the big established ones, I know I chose a different path than most in my position would do. I’m not just trying to be a popular figure in gaming for myself; I’m trying to build a special organization that is a platform for others. 

“The name Team Diverge means a lot to me. We’re aiming to move in a different direction of ordinary gaming organizations, we’re trying to be unique in how we operate. The initials also are ‘TD’, a sign of the football side of me.”

While Team Diverge Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Karan Gill, added:

“TD is going to take athlete involvement in gaming to a completely different level. These guys won’t just be ambassadors or honorary members, they are going to be centrepieces to the team’s identity.”

AYO.NEWS says:

We’ve seen many pro-athletes from the world of traditional sports invest in esports organisations over the past couple of years, but Smith-Schuster really is going the extra mile with setting up his own organisation! 

Once again, it emphasises just how inextricably linked the worlds of gaming, esports, sports, culture, and lifestyle are now becoming for younger generations – something that’s critically important for established companies to appreciate. 

‘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.