BTN is down for a few more rounds of League of legends, announcing a two-year deal with Riot Games to launch the second and third BTN League of Legends seasons in 2018 and 2019. Teams from all 14 Big Ten Conference schools take part with play beginning on Jan. 15. Season one debuted in Jan. 2017 with 12 of the 14 schools in play, with Maryland taking the BTN League of Legends title. The 2018 BTN season concludes with an online 8-team tournament running from March 30 – April 2. Currently, three Big Ten teams are ranked in Riot’s preseason seedings – No. 5 Illinois, No. 6 Rutgers and No. 15 Ohio State. Meanwhile, Riot is funding scholarships for all 14 schools, with each team receiving $35,000 to be evenly distributed among its roster.
“After spending the past two years learning, participating and beginning to understand the esports landscape, we are now at a point where we can take an exciting step forward,” said Erin Harvego, BTN’s Vice President of Marketing. “From our first test event in April of 2016 until now, Riot Games has been a terrific partner and has helped BTN emerge as the leader in collegiate esports productions.”
Three Big Ten teams are ranked in Riot’s preseason seedings – No. 5 Illinois, No. 6 Rutgers and No. 15 Ohio State. Riot is funding scholarships for all 14 schools, with each team receiving $35,000 to be evenly distributed among its roster.
“This two-year deal is a natural evolution of our efforts in 2017 and shows BTN and the Big Ten member schools’ commitment to support the passionate communities of League of Legends players on all 14 Big Ten campuses,” said Michael Sherman, who leads Riot’s competitive college program. “Riot wants to make League of Legends a sport that lasts for generations, something the Big Ten has accomplished in several sports already. The BTN League of Legends competition assures the Big Ten’s best gamers have the opportunity to celebrate the traditions and rivalries of the Big Ten on their own field.”
