ESL in Deal With AEG
E-SPORTS LEAGUE IN DEAL WITH SPORTS EVENT COMPANY
Combined resources with AEG will help to “broaden the reach of eSports around the world.”
The eSports league tournament organiser ESL has reached out to the traditional sports world as it expands ever faster, and has inked a deal with US sports event company AEG, according to a report in VentureBeat.
AEG operates more than 120 venues around the globe, including the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Oakland’s Oracle Arena, and according to the report ESL will have access to those locations as well as AEG’s infrastructure for producing and marketing live events.
The two companies are optimistic that their alliance will combine resources to “broaden the reach of eSports around the world,” including a push into the Asia Pacific region with completely new tournaments.
ESL executive chairman Steven Roberts said in a statement Friday:
“Esports has reached mainstream status. Our tournaments are viewed by as many, if not more, spectators as traditional sports, so it is a natural progression that industry events increasingly become held at world class venues. Our partnership with AEG enables us to further improve the spectator experience and create additional, global events for audiences and partners.”
ESL has already created and managed massive leagues for games like the military shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The company has thrown annual competitions in Cologne, Germany’s Lanxess Arena.
In addition, the company is one of the top partners for major gaming publishers wishing to promote their releases with official tournaments.
Using that experience, ESL will utilise AEG’s assets to bring pro gaming to more people in more places, the statement notes.
AEG Facilities president Bob Newman said that both organisations are committed to creating the best live events for fans around the world.
"Together we will create new events that will unite the community and celebrate players, teams, and leagues,” he pledged.
The partnership ensures that ESL will now have the potential to reserve arenas in major metropolitan areas on a short-term notice because it will have full access to AEG’s scheduling.
