From sponsorships to industry-wide announcements, Insider Sport has you covered when it comes to the world of esports.
This week’s edition highlights the latest developments including Guild Esports announcing that its directors have signed a letter of intent with US investment firm DCB Sports to acquire the organisation.
DCB Sports eyes Guild Esports in potential deal
Guild Esports, supported by David Beckham, has announced that its directors have signed a letter of intent with US investment firm DCB Sports to acquire the organisation.
While the acquisition is not guaranteed, DCB Sports would take over and manage the Guild brand if it goes through. This would involve providing capital to ensure the organisation operates on a stable financial footing and enhancing its current partnerships.
DCB Sports, based in California, is an investment management firm focused primarily on the sports sector. The company has also invested in the Italian football club Venezia FC and this potential deal will be the company’s first investment in esports.
Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esports, commented on the potential acquisition: “The Board is looking to secure the long-term future of Guild Esports, both the PLC and the iconic Guild brand.
“Our deal with DCB Sports is an important step in that direction, as DCB Sports will allow Guild’s management to deliver on its strategic aims of building a world-class gaming-led media brand. Further announcements will be made in due course.”
Gary LaDrido, Managing Partner of DCB Sports, added: “Esports is the perfect combination of sports, gaming and entertainment. We’ve long followed esports and with Guild we have found the perfect opportunity for us to enter the sector for the first time.
“We look forward to working with Guild’s impressive list of clients as well as building new relationships around the world. We are excited about partnering with Jasmine and management to deliver on its strategy of growing Guild into a leading international media brand.”
EFG to lead operations for historic Esports World Cup
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), an esports and video game entertainment company, has been named the official operating partner of the Esports World Cup.
Under the multi-year deal, EFG will handle tournament operations and broadcast programming, uniting gaming fans with mainstream sports and entertainment for a global celebration of competitive gaming. EFG also collaborates closely with the Esports World Cup on product development and global marketing strategies.
Running from 3 July to 25 August, the Esports World Cup has turned Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, into the heart of esports and gaming culture, allowing fans to watch top players and teams compete in 22 championships, all leading to the crowning of the first-ever Club Champion.
Craig Levine, Co-CEO of EFG, commented: “The Esports World Cup is one of the most ambitious new global sports events to ever take place. It’s a historic step forward for esports’ global growth, and the results so far are a testament to the collaboration of both teams, our deep-rooted relationships with industry stakeholders and our unrivalled understanding of how gamers celebrate esports.
“As we approach the end of this life-changing tournament, we’re already looking forward to continuing to shape the future of sports fandom and entertainment powered by esports and gaming – not just through the end of August, but for years to come.”
EFG, with its extensive experience in the field, hosted global qualifiers earlier this year across regions like North and South America, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East to identify the top players now competing on the Esports World Cup stage.
Moving forward, EFG plans to integrate Esports World Cup titles into its ESL, DreamHack and FACEIT platforms, offering aspiring champions worldwide a chance to rise through the ranks and qualify for the biggest competition in the scene.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “The Esports World Cup is delivering premier competition at a scale never seen before, giving 3.4 billion gaming fans around the globe a true spectacle, providing players with life-changing prize money and crowning the first Club Champion.
“EFG’s operational excellence and industry-leading experience have been invaluable as we execute this world-first event, and we’re excited to lean on our multi-year partnership as we look to expand Esports World Cup programming and accelerate the industry’s growth.”
Kenya’s first esports training centre opens at MKU
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has unveiled an esports training facility at its main campus in partnership with the national esports organisation, Esports Kenya Federation.
The training centre is the first of its kind in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to equip students and local youth with skills to become esports players, coaches, and tournament referees. Beyond these roles, the centre will also offer training in transferable skills such as game development and content creation.
Established in 1996, MKUeducates over 50,000 students in fields such as business, economics, and education. In 2023, the university supplied gaming equipment for students to participate in competitions for Tekken, NBA 2K, and EA Sports FC.
This move aligns with recent trends in education. In February, the Scottish Qualifications Authority introduced a National Progression Award in esports for schools and colleges in Scotland, offering a one-year course designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the esports industry.
Professor Simon N. Gicharu, Chairman of MKU, remarked: “I am delighted to announce that MKU in collaboration with Esports Kenya Federation will establish an esports training centre.
“It will equip our students with skills that will enable them to generate an income and even make a career via their hobby”
ESG’s Morten Holst becomes Director at Esports World Cup
Morten Holst, formerly of ESL FACEIT Group (ESG), has left the company to take on the role of Director of Games Growth at the Esports World Cup Foundation.
After an eight-year tenure at the esports and video game company, Holst decided to leave his role as Senior Director of Strategy and Solutions. During his career at ESG, he also held the roles of Director of Game Partnerships and Senior Publisher Relations Manager.
In his new position at the Esports World Cup Foundation, he will work with publishers to expand and enhance partnerships for the games featured at the Esports World Cup, focusing on both in-arena activities and live broadcasts.
This news comes just before the aforementioned development of ESG’s multi-year partnership with the Esports World Cup.
Posting to LinkedIn, Holst wrote: “On a professional level, this is an opportunity where I will be able to work in an area that I am most passionate about, where my skills can flourish and last but not least I am joining the beginning of the incredible journey that the Esports World Cup Foundation has ventured on with the Esports World Cup.
“We are only in year one and I am extremely excited about the future and what the team can accomplish in close collaboration with all of our partners.”
