COMPETITION

The first Major of the 2022 Call of Duty League season saw hosts OpTic Texas claim a 5-2 grand final victory over reigning CDL champions Atlanta. Daniel Tsay, general manager of Call of Duty esports, stated that the tournament peaked at around 186,000 viewers and delivered an average of 143,000 across Day 4 of the tournament. That would rank, he said, as the most-watched Major in Call of Duty League history.

Major League Soccer and Electronic Arts rolled out plans for the 2022 eMLS Cup presented by Coca-Cola. In collaboration with Austin FC, the competition will take place on March 13 as an official event of SXSW. At eMLS Cup, North America’s top 12 competitors – each representing an MLS Club – will compete under the lights on the main stage of ACL Live for the final trophy of the eMLS season. The top three finishers will additionally earn direct invites to the EA SPORTS FIFA 22 Global Series Playoffs. During eMLS Cup, attendees can expect a collection of in-person activations, including customizing limited-edition eMLS kits, printing their own stats on custom EA SPORTS FIFA Ultimate Team-style cards, testing their EA SPORTS FIFA skills in gaming pods, and enjoying a special musical performance on stage.

The Collegiate Sports Management Group announced that ESPORTSU unveiled its plans for the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup. In partnership with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NBA G League’s College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta Esports Alliance and Skillshot Media, CECC will run May 6-8, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. CECC is described as the largest collegiate esports live event ever, and will offer competitors, fans and brand partners an immersive festival experience including food trucks, live music, career fair, professional networking, Cosplay Costume Contest, interactive onsite activations, and competition across Overwatch (the Overwatch Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup), Rocket League, NBA 2K, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and Valorant.

ESL Gaming is teaming with Qualcomm Technologies to push mobile esports. The multi-year agreement will see The Snapdragon Pro Series serve as a “comprehensive global mobile esports ecosystem,” with tournaments in North America, Europe, the Middle-East, China, North Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Snapdragon Pro Series will launch a premier global, multi-genre mobile esports competition, culminating in an epic live Masters final event with competitors competing for a share of an estimated $2 million in prize money. “The rapid rise of mobile esports is well-documented, and we’re incredibly proud of the role ESL has played in that to date,” said Rodrigo Samwell, CCO at ESL Gaming. “Our new collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and its Snapdragon brand will elevate our mobile ecosystem to its fullest potential. We’re excited to transform the future of mobile esports for players and fans around the world, continuing to create a world where everybody can be somebody.”

Esports Entertainment Group teams up with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to host the first sanctioned esports skill-based wagering event in the United States. The event rill run Match 19-20 and hosted on EEG’s LANDuel platform, with 256 competitors playing in a Madden NFL 22 tournament. For the first time ever, participants will be permitted to wager on themselves in each round. In addition, the event will feature a dedicated set of PCs for non-tournament participants to compete in matches on LANDuel, which gives eligible spectators and casino guests the opportunity to side-wager on their own matches outside of the official tournament.

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Nerd Street Gamers is launching a new amateur esports tournament circuit titled Nerd Street Champs. The circuit will be sponsored by candy brand Mike and Ike along with gaming chair manufacturer Mavix Gaming with participants competing in titled that include Madden NFL 2022, VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Halo Infinite.

SPONSORSHIP & ACTIVATION

G FUEL locked in a multi-year partnership with famed content creator Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. The duo will reveal product launches in the coming weeks. “It is incredible to work with a gaming icon like Ninja. He is an exemplary representation of what it means to be a gaming personality and an entertainer,” said G FUEL Founder and CEO, Cliff Morgan. “I think the creative combination of G FUEL and Ninja will thrill fans worldwide.”

Xfinity signed on as the official internet and mobile partner of the Twitch Gaming dedicated channel on Twitch. The deal hands the Comcast brand with access to in-stream branded integrations, category exclusivity, co-marketing rights, custom segments, an entitlement event and media and product placement.

ZOWIE was named as the official monitor partner for the ESL Pro League Season 15. “The ESL Pro League is very pleased to welcome ZOWIE as the official monitor sponsor for Season 15,” said Alex Inglot, Commissioner of the ESL Pro League. “We’re proud to see the EPL’s partnerships expanding and welcome ZOWIE to the league in their new capacity as an official sponsor.”

PLATFORMS

Former Esports Talk host Jake Lucky revealed a deal with Full Squad Gaming to oversee a new content creation initiative for the social media brand. As part of the deal, Lucky will get an ownership stake in FSG as part of a multiyear contract. “We thought Jake was a perfect fit for Full Squad because we view Jake, and I know he does, too, as more than the news guy or the talking head,” said Benji Gallagher, COO and founder of Full Squad Gaming, in a video interview. “Jake is obviously a really versatile personality from a talent perspective and has a really great mind with industry knowledge and business knowledge acumen as well. He’ll be taking on a big role in building several facets of our business on a daily basis.”

TEAMS

FaZe Clan revealed that Snoop Dogg will become a member of FaZe Clan’s talent network and, upon closing of the previously announced business combination with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. will join FaZe Clan’s board of directors, representing the team with the official name “FaZe Snoop.” He will co-create content, participate in key business initiatives, and launch merchandise with the brand while appearing across FaZe Clan’s platform. “It only makes sense to partner with FaZe Clan as both a team member and on the Board of Directors,” said Snoop Dogg, Entertainment Icon. “The youth identifies with their brand and that’s something my son Cordell knew, which is why he brought us together.”

Lifestyle gaming brand 100 Thieves’ new collaboration with Attack on Titan and Crunchyroll will look to deliver fans with influencer-focused content, an LA pop-up event, and a 13-piece apparel collection this weekend (March 11-12). The collaboration marks the first-ever 100 Thieves official anime crossover with the collection featuring a lineup of tops (tees, hoodies, bomber jackets, and a long sleeve) and accessories that nod to fan favorites including Eren Jaeger, Captain Levi, Mikasa, Annie, and more. Fans can purchase the limited-edition collection online at 100thieves.com when it goes on sale this March 12 although a Pop-Up event on March 11 invites fans to enjoy first-looks at the 100 Thieves x Attack on Titan apparel.

Team Envy locked in a new partnership with the*gameHers, designed to focus on “amplifying the voices of women in gaming and esports throughout 2022.” The deal was announced in celebration of International Women’s Day, with the duo looking to strategize on a range of content in addition to college initiatives, co-branded live events, co-streaming appearances, and more.

INDUSTRY

Esports Entertainment Group announced that the company raised $13.6 million from its public offering of common stock and warrants. Funding will reportedly be dedicated to building its working capital reserves and to repay part of its debt.