One of the most known North American esports organizations, Evil Geniuses, has partnered with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, a Premier League club, the parties revealed today.
As part of the agreement, Fosun Sports Group, owner of Wolves since 2016, has decided to make a minority investment in Evil Geniuses. The esports organization post-investment is estimated to value at over $255 million. It will also become the first esports team to have a presence in Europe, North America and Asia.
We are delighted to announce we have partnered with esports giants @EvilGeniuses!
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 28, 2021
The full story 👉 https://t.co/ddb79AOQ2Vpic.twitter.com/uUApxpCJDB
As a result of the partnership, Wolves’ Asian market knowledge and training facilities will allow EG to expand into the continent. On the other hand, the football team’s branding will be a part of the esports organization’s uniforms and merchandise.
What’s more, both parties plan to work together in order to “create English and Chinese language content, sponsorship opportunities and jointly branded merchandise."
We may have partnered with the @Wolves, but we still #bleedblue (now we just do it with a bit of Old Gold). Check out our updated jersey—available now!
— Evil Geniuses (@EvilGeniuses) July 28, 2021
🛒 https://t.co/xFqCAQ2Cglpic.twitter.com/dajwbJ0ibi
The representatives of both sides are pleased with the collaboration. “We are thrilled to partner with Wolves,” says Nicole LaPointe Jameson, Evil Geniuses’ CEO. “This deal will help power EG’s expansion into the Asian markets while also providing new capital to sign more worlds-class players and grow into new esports titles,” she adds.
“We have very lofty ambitions in esports, and this partnership allows us to learn from the very best in Evil Geniuses,” adds Russell Jones, Wolves’ General Manager of Marketing and Commercial Growth. He teases that both parties will work on a number of fan initiatives in the next few months and more common activities.
This isn’t Wolves first voyage into the esports world, as the club already has esports divisions in FIFA, Call of Duty Mobile and Rocket League. They will keep operating as usual, according to Michael Moriarty, the section’s manager. “Wolves Esports isn’t going anywhere,” he underlines on Twitter.
Welcome @EvilGeniuses to the @Wolves family, bolstering our esports presence alongside @WolvesEsports.
— Michael Moriarty (@DuckMoriarty) July 28, 2021
Lots of big things coming through the pipeline in the future. Keep your eyes on this partnership. https://t.co/6hfN7wRbjw
Wolves’ and Evil Geniuses’ partnership isn’t also the first collaboration between esports organizations and football teams. For example, FaZe Clan has been working with Premier League giants Manchester City for almost 2 years now.
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