ReKTGlobal has partnered with influencer development company TalentX Entertainment to form the TalentX Gaming talent management company.

By combining the expertise of RekTGlobal, parent company of Rogue and the London Royal Ravens, with that of TalentX Entertainment, the new management company says it aims to create and monetise business opportunities for esports athletes and streamers.

TalentX Gaming will be headed by Jason Wilhelm, formerly of SoaR Esports and the Sacramento Kings’ Kings Guard Gaming, and will cooperate closely with ReKTGlobal to create opportunities.

Discussing the venture CEO and Co-founder of ReKTGlobal, Dave Bialek, said: 

“TalentX Gaming is the formation of a unique and dynamic talent management company, combining ReKTGlobal’s esports industry leading position and TalentX’s meteoric and unprecedented success with TikTok content creators. 

“This partnership now affords gaming and esports influencers and athletes with unparalleled support, insights, and execution. TXG further cements ReKTGlobal as the most diversified and unequivocal leader in esports marketing.”

While TalentX Gaming CEO, Jason Wilhelm, added:

“The esports and talent industries are exploding, yet influencers are very underserved in the gaming world. Like TalentX Entertainment, TalentX Gaming puts the creator first. It’s not just a motto; we will be in the trenches fighting battles with our creators and taking them places in their careers they never thought were possible.”

Co-founded in 2019 by Tal Fishman, better known as YouTube’s “ReactionTime”, and Warren Lentz, TalentX Entertainment now has around 60 creators on its books, including the popular TikTok “Sway House” group (Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson, Anthony Reeves, Bryce Hall, Kio Cyr, and Jaden Hossler).

In addition to owning Rogue and Call of Duty League’s London Royal Ravens, ReKTGlobal’s growing business portfolio also includes Greenlit Content and consumer engagement platform Fullcube. 

AYO.NEWS says:

TikTok has exploded in popularity during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns, so this seems like a timely project for everyone involved. And, with ReKTGlobal having so many high profile business and celebrity connections spanning the esports, music, entertainment, and traditional sports worlds, we’re sure this will result in some interesting opportunities. 

‘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

Ubisoft has confirmed the Rainbow Six North American League is now the official successor to the ESL Rainbow Six Pro League. 

Following all the drama of the Rainbow Six Pro League, Ubisoft has said it will roll out a series of leagues across several regions, a path-to-pro, and a full, almost year-round schedule. 

The new Rainbow Six North American League will feature US and Canadian divisions. Both the US and Canada will also have challenger divisions, providing the opportunity for teams to win promotion, and a place for top tier teams to be relegated to. At the end of every stage there will be open qualifiers, giving amateur teams the opportunity to take on the last place team in either league.

This year’s action will kick off in June, so will only feature two Stages rather than the normal three. 

A mix of familiar and new teams are set to compete in the US Division including Spacestation Gaming, TSM, Dark Zero Esports, Tempo Storm, eUnited, Oxygen Esports (formerly Reciprocity), Disrupt Gaming, and Susquehanna Soniqs. The US division will feature a new LAN final, closing in December. 

Meanwhile the Canadian division, which will play entirely online, will hold open qualifiers on 29-30 May to determine the teams playing in its inaugural season. 

The first complete three-stage season will start in March 2021, with major events in May, August, and November. The year will be capped off with a Rainbow Six Invitational in February. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s good to see Ubisoft revealing comprehensive plans, but with both Luminosity and Evil Geniuses recently letting go of the Rainbow Six rosters, with the exception of Spacestation Gaming, eUnited, Tempo Storm, and TSM, the league is primarily made up of small organisations – will they generate enough interest to make it a success? 

‘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

Sports betting supplier Betinvest has partnered with Switzerland-based sports data and content provider Sportradar. 

From the start of April, Betinvest has been providing Sportradar with statistics and live video feeds across a variety of esports and classic sports, including efootball, ebasketball, etennis, ehockey, Mortal Kombat, and World of Tanks. 

Betinvest says it will be supplying up to 8,000 events per month, or up to 150 per day.

Commenting on the partnership Betinvest COO, Max Dubossarksky, said: 

“With the spread of coronavirus and the cancellation of most sporting events, the demand for digital, virtual and esports has grown many times over. This has pushed every sports betting operator to broaden their offering for players by adding digital matches of the most popular classic sports and games.”

While Sportradar Managing Director Live Data Services, Berkant Elieyioglu, added:

“We’re pleased to have partnered with Betinvest at this important time, as we continue to diversify our product offering and broaden the coverage we offer our customers.”

At the end of March, we reported that Sportradar had launched its “Simulated Reality” package of AI-driver virtual sports in response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

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

NBA 2K League team Warriors Gaming Squad has partners with US fast food chain Wingstop. 

The deal with Warriors Gaming Squad, an affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, makes Wingstop the official wings provider for the team, and marks the company’s entry into esports. 

A local Bay Area activation campaign, “WGS Wins, You Score”, will see fans receive free boneless wings every Monday following a win.

Commenting on the partnership Head of Golden State Warriors Esports, Hunter Leigh, said:

“Wingstop has been a fantastic partner with the Golden State Warriors, and we are thrilled to expand the relationship to the Warriors’ esports family. We are excited to offer Bay Area fans a new way to celebrate with every Warriors Gaming Squad win this season.”

Warriors Gaming Squad is also partnered with JP Morgan’s consumer and commercial banking division, Chase, after signing a three-year deal in April 2019. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great to see yet another non-endemic brand extend their partnership with a traditional sports organisation to cover esports, and we’re sure fans will be appreciating the free wings on Monday nights! 

‘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

North American esports organisation Misfits Gaming Group has partnered with supplementary provider Destined 2 Dominate. 

According to Misfits Gaming Group the partnership with the Florida-based nutritional supplement company covers their Misfits Gaming American teams, and Call of Duty League franchise Florida Mutineers.

With Destined 2 Dominate’s POWER ON product now the official energy drink of Misfits Gaming, the brand’s logo will feature on gaming jerseys, and players will be helping to develop new esports-aimed supplement products. 

Commenting on the deal CEO of Misfits Gaming Group, Ben Spoont, said:

“We’re always pushing for perfection when it comes to the physical and mental health of our pros, which is why we’re excited to partner with D2D who focus on developing products that promote all-round wellbeing. 

“D2D is continuously looking for the best supplements to give athletes and gamers the edge they need to perform, and we’re looking forward to working with them to help develop products that fit the needs of our pros.”

Whole CEO of Destined 2 Dominate, Garrett Ratleff, added:

“We are always striving to produce the absolute best products for gamers and the partnership with MGG gives us an opportunity to work directly with their athletes and influencers to develop supplements that truly enhance the wellness and performance of gamers. MGG competes in the top gaming titles worldwide and we are excited to help give them a performance edge.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With concentration and reaction time making the difference between victory and defeat for players, gaming and esports nutrition is becoming a serious business. The product development part of the partnership is especially interesting! 

Staying with Misfits Gaming, just last week we reported the organisation had partnered with revenue amplification platform Playwire. 

‘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 Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has announced a partnership with the Global Esports Federation (GEF).

The aim of the partnership is to develop a Commonwealth Esports strategy, and it will see the CGF and GEF work together on specific areas aligned to Transformation 2022 – the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s Strategic Plan.

According to the organisations, the partnership will initially focus on three things:

• Conducting an analysis of the status of Esports in the Commonwealth and its capacity to support and advance our vision and mission through the joint development of a values- based Commonwealth Esports strategy;

• Exploring and developing athlete-centred, sport-focused initiatives and campaigns that harness and elevate the principles of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation, among others, in Esports across the Commonwealth; and

• Exploring the development of sustainable Esports properties (competitions and development initiatives) that could benefit CGAs and the wider Commonwealth through partnerships and promotional opportunities that connect and serve athletes, citizens and communities.

Discussing the partnership CGF President, Dame Louise Martin, said:

“In recent years, we have seen the dramatic rise of Esports in terms of popularity and participation, particularly the participation of young people.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in Esports globally has continued to increase significantly which demonstrates an important characteristic of connecting people during a difficult period.

“For some time now, the CGF has been looking for a way to formally engage with Esports, to explore how it can align with the Commonwealth Sports Movement and its support of the sustainable development of digital infrastructure, connectivity and commerce across the Commonwealth.

“In the Global Esports Federation, we know we have the right partner to help us undertake this exciting piece of work.”

While GEF President, Chris Chan, added:

“We are honoured to embark on this strategic partnership and support the Commonwealth Games Federation. This partnership further strengthens the Global Esports Federation’s mission of convening the world’s Esports ecosystem.

“The GEF Board and I look forward to working together with Dame Louise Martin and the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement. We congratulate the CGF for the work they do every day, developing sports across the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories, and beyond.

“This partnership allows us to develop a pathway together for an inclusive, progressive, and visionary future for the youth and the entire Commonwealth – North to South, East to West – reaching across a third of the world’s population.

“The future of Esports continues to be bright, and we look forward to developing great collaborations across the world; elevating Esports based on the traditions and values of sport and the principle of harnessing technology for good.”

The Commonwealth of Nations originated with the British Empire, but is now a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.4 billion people, and is currently made up of the United Kingdom, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, India, Kenya, Kingdom of eSwatini, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Zambia.

AYO.NEWS says:

The Commonwealth Games are a big deal in much of the world, so the CGF’s enthusiasm for developing an esports strategy is another big boost for esports in terms of going mainstream.

Staying with the GEF, just last week we reported the Singapore-based organisation had confirmed the initial composition of its Athletes and Players Commission, led by Charmaine Crooks and Koen Schobbers.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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