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.

The Singapore-based Global Esports Federation (GEF) has announced a partnership with US-based Sports Innovation Lab. 

According to the GEF, the partnership aims to enhance the GEF’s mission to promote the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports. As a global supporter of the GEF, Sports Innovation Lab will use its knowledge and expertise to help develop the federation’s events portfolio, including the GEFcon. 

Commenting on the news President of the GEF, Chris Chan, said:

“We are proud to welcome Sports Innovation Lab as our Global Supporter in an effort to deepen our involvement with the stakeholders in esports, including fans worldwide on one global, inclusive platform.”

While HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Head of GEF’s Focus Group on Culture and Board Member, Global Esports Federation, added:

“As the world’s convening platform for the esports ecosystem, engagement with players and athletes, as well as fans is paramount. We continue to work towards elevating esports in the global arena, encouraging greater inclusion, interaction and participation within the world’s esports community.”

And, Sports Innovation Lab Co-founder and CEO, Anela Ruggiero, said:

“We look forward to applying to the esports space and this partnership with the GEF the expertise and insights we’ve gained from our experiences in working with world-class organizations like the NFL and others. Together, we will create and scale breakthrough fan experiences for esports globally to benefit the entire esports ecosystem.”

Last week the GEF announced that Japanese trio Capcom, Konami, and Sega, had become the first video game publishers to join the organisation. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The GEF is rapidly losing any shred of credibility. Despite announcing partnership after partnership, and appointment after appointment, it has yet to make any noticeable impact on the industry. But, more seriously, any organisation that will appoint HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud – a member of one of the world’s most brutal and oppressive regimes – as Head of its Focus Group on Culture and a member of its Board is not going to be welcomed by most in the esports ecosystem. 

Furthermore, the fact that HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud has the nerve to say “We continue to work towards elevating esports in the global arena, encouraging greater inclusion, interaction and participation within the world’s esports community”, and that the GEF thinks this is good PR, shows how utterly out of touch the organisation is. 

And, for heaven’s sake, with their vast resources you’d think they could make the visuals better – their entire web presence is more dreary than that of most banks or insurance companies!

‘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.

Dutch football club Ajax has launched the Ajax Gaming Academy mobile app. 

The new app, launched in partnership with cable network Ziggo, sportswear brand Adidas, and tech company Azerion, allows amatuer FIFA players to compete in tournaments and win exclusive prizes, and includes plenty of helpful FIFA 21 tutorials. 

Apparently, more features, including a ranking system, will be added over the coming months, and the app features safeguards to ensure a fair competitive environment. 

Soccer website Goal is the global media partner for Ajax Gaming Academy, which is now available to download for both Android and iOS.

Discussing the new app Commercial Director at Ajax, Menno Geelen, said:

“Together with Ziggo we will host the Ziggo eBattle for our fans on a weekly basis where people can win unique prizes. Also, we’re introducing FIFA21 tutorials that fans from all over the world can utilise to improve in the new game. Now, we are not only helping future talent on the pitch, but also in the virtual world.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Football clubs are leading the charge when it comes to using innovative apps and technology to drive fan engagement. While esports apps like Ajax’s FIFA Academy are a fairly obvious way to drive enthusiasm for teams, and football in general, blockchain-based engagement platforms like Socios.com and Sorare are also attracting a large number of clubs. 

‘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.

How to build a betting brand for the next generation.

With many online betting operators still struggling to harness esports and attract younger customers, Simona catches up with Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO of PMML Corp, the parent company of leading esports and sports betting site Rivalry, to see how they have nailed it.

Find out how Rivalry is shaking things up in everything from reducing onboarding friction while maintaining regulatory compliance, to ditching traditional advertising in favour of true content-based community marketing. Don’t forget to check out the platform for yourself at rivalry.com.

On 22 October, Steven will also be on the panel for the Perfect Partners session (sponsored by Neosurf) at the SBC Betting on Sports Europe – Digital, along with Julian Tan (Head of Digital Business Initiatives & Esports, Formula 1), Serge Vardanyan (CEO & Founder, WIN.GG), Adrian Figallo (Co-Founder, World Pro Racing) and Eirik Kristiansen (CEO, PixelBet).

GO Gaming, the parent company of Brazil-based Rensga Esports has secured an investment from Componente.

Though no figure was disclosed, it is believed to be Series A funding (which typically ranges from $2 – $10M USD). Other investors in GO Gaming include Risa Investimentos, G5 Investimentos, and Masa Societária, along with Cassius Crocetti Crosara, Helder Henrique Valim Barbosa, and Lucas Carneiro Ramos.

The investment will come in handy considering Rensga recently splashed $4M BRL (approx. €0.6M) on a spot in Riot Games’ newly franchised Brazilian League of Legends competition CBLoL, and the organisation says it also wants to expand the Orbi Gaming esports centre (Rensga Esports and the Orbi Gaming centre are both owned by GO Gaming), and enhance training facilities. 

Discussing the investment GO Gaming CEO, Djary Veiga, said:

“It is a huge addendum to the team mainly for its experience on the solid growth of several companies, such as Bodytech, Soul Cycles, and Fast Triathlon, in addition to its tradition in promoting and encouraging sport.”

While Componente Founder, João Paulo Diniz, added:

“Through my son, who worked at GO4IT, I got to know the esports world and was amazed by the growth, potential, and numbers of the area, which sometimes surpasses even the traditional sports. So I got connected through my son to the Go Gaming executives, liked their project, learned the potential of the franchise in CBLoL, and decided to enter this market.”

AYO.NEWS says:

This investment has obviously come at the right time for the organisation, boosting both coffers and confidence – for it must be remembered that players competing in an expensive franchised competition really are carrying a lot of weight on their shoulders. It’s also interesting to see yet another investor got introduced to the world of esports through their kid. 

‘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.

Ultimate Gaming Championship has established a new scholastic arm called UGC EDU. 

The Illinois-based company says UGC EDU will focus on producing live and online tournaments across various esports titles, for high school and college students. 

To launch the new initiative, UGC EDU has teamed up with Acer, Intel, LG Electronics, and SHI Int’l Corp, to hold a Valorant and Rocket League series called ‘Battle Academy.’ Slated to go live on 9 November, the event will be awarding $25K USD worth of scholarships, and a range of partner products. 

Horizon AVL and Learn2Esport will also be supporting Battle Academy. 

Welcome to Battle Academy, the first official @UGCedu tournament series, in partnership with @LGUS, @intel, @Acer, and @SHI_Intl.

📆 Nov 9 – Dec 12
🎮 VALORANT + Rocket League
💰 $25,000+ In Scholarships & Prizes
🌎 US High Schools & Colleges

Registerhttps://t.co/bzooslsDWw pic.twitter.com/Wt87ZcuAOR

— UGC (@UGCevents) October 14, 2020

AYO.NEWS says:

High school and college level esports is crucial to helping build a long-term sustainable esports industry, providing opportunities for gaming talent and business development, in addition to raising the profile of esports among the public, so it’s fantastic to see UGC launch a dedicated scholastic division.

Right now, North America is clearly out there in front when it comes to scholastic and collegiate esports, but there is also progress being made elsewhere. For example, only yesterday we reported that Riot Games had announced extensive plans for Valorant esports, including collegiate esports, across Southeast Asia. 

‘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.