UK CONSOLIDATION: RESOLVE ESPORTS ACQUIRES BARRAGE ESPORTS

UK-based organisation Resolve Esports is acquiring fellow British organisation Barrage Esports. 

The deal will see Resolve take control of all Barrage’s esports and business operations, including its Northern League of Legends (NLC) spot. Specific financial details of the deal have not been revealed. 

Although some Barrage staff will be retained after the acquisition, some will be made redundant, and Resolve has confirmed it will be compensating those affected. Former owner of Barrage, Jeff Simpkins, will be stepping down as Managing Director, but will retain an advisory role. 

Resolve Founder, Ilias ‘Rai’ Pajoheshfar, commented: “It has always been our intention to compete at the highest level and the journey so far has been a brilliant one. When Barrage kindly presented us with this opportunity, we felt an obligation to ensure the UK continues to be represented and after careful consideration, we felt the timing was right. We would like to thank Barrage for their hard work and service to UK esports, and will honour their legacy.”

Former Barrage owner, Jeff Simplins, added: “I reached out to Ilias and Resolve as I felt it was time to make a decision about Barrage’s and my own future in esports. I specifically reached out to Ilias as he is someone I have known for a couple of years now, who I have had a good rapport with and trust, as well as being wise beyond his years. To all those who have supported Barrage, have been part of our journey and specifically supported or helped guide myself over the years, thank you so much. It has been an absolute honour.”

Resolve’s League of Legends team had been competing in the UK’s second-division League of Legends tier, UKLC. With the organisation now inheriting Barrage’s Northern League team and spot, its former UKLC spot will be given to another organisation, with its original roster forming an academy team. Resolve will also give up its place in the UK’s third division, the UKEL. So far there’s no word on plans for Barrage’s amateur North American team. 

To commemorate the occasion, 50 limited edition Resolve/Barrage esports jerseys will be produced and offered for sale, with all proceeds going to the charity SpecialEffect. 

We are Barrage. We are Resolve. We are one. pic.twitter.com/56JrwNlLdb

— Resolve (@RSVGG) May 7, 2021