UK-based esports organization Fnatic raised over $17 million in a recent funding round as it targets the Japanese market, while Marubeni Corporation is a key sponsor.
This development with Fnatic made headlines in this week's ESI digest as Esports Insider sub-editor Tom Daniels discussed the "growing market in Japan", calling the move "significant" due to demonstrating the changing trends in esports.
Commenting on Fnatic's move, Daniels noted, "Japan has always had major titles circulating through its esports system, but it seems like the country has received a boost in the past 12 months to expand its esports market.
“It will be really interesting to see if other organizations develop further, and I think we are now seeing new markets emerge and we will not stick to China, Korea, the US and Europe as the main four countries. . Will we see more new regions? It definitely seems that way with this investment.”
Meanwhile, bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports, the Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire was appointed brand ambassador for a British company Semper Fortis Esports .
The player will interact with fans on digital platforms as well as share their "traditional sports experience" to apply to the esports organization. As a Brand Representative, he will receive payments through warrants allowing him to purchase Semper Fortis Esports shares after the 12 month period.
The Manchester United captain has become the second professional footballer to be named brand ambassador for Semper Fortis Esports after the Everton striker joined him last week. Dominic Calvert Levine .
"It's a smart decision to use these local names if you want to brand yourself as a British organization," commented Daniels. These are two well-known British footballers and it is in line with what they wanted to do at launch, which was to bring personality to the organization.”
Having moved to the other side of the Atlantic, online sports betting operator Betway has announced a partnership with the Brazilian esports organization FURIA.
The partnership will include international cross-collaboration, including content and activation through BetwayTV, the bookmaker's streaming platform. In addition, FURIA will have access to Betway partners in Brazil and around the world.
Daniels stated: “This is not Betway's first Brazilian esports partnership. They partnered with MIBR, the Brazilian esports team Immortal Gaming Club, and also announced a Brazilian influencer team called Betway. This really means Betway's continued expansion into the Latin American market and Brazil in particular.”
NA LCS Players Association (LCS PA) addressed two key issues this week, with the group's board restructuring receiving the most attention.
Philip Aram assumed the position of executive director of the organization, previously worked in Evil Geniuses.
Additional board restructuring directors led to that Steven Ellis , general manager pipeline , Lauren Gaba Flanagan , founder and partner of Theorycraft, and Jason Dockton , general manager Rise Above the Disorder , have joined the LCS PA team.
I think the restructuring of the LCS Players Association is a very smart decision,” Daniels added. “While LCS PA hasn't been terrible, there have been discussions about its effectiveness since its inception, especially after Travis Gafford reported that the association reportedly voted to cancel the 2020 Spring Split and then the Spring Split began. This raised questions about how strong the player's association is."
While staying at LCS PA, Daniels discussed the presentation of the new visual identity for North American esports organization FlyQuest ahead of the 2021 LCS Summer Split.
The new logo will draw heavily on the group's Showcase Greatness initiative in 2020, through which it launched a number of Go Green environmental campaigns.
A source - Esports Insider YouTube channel
ESI Digest Post: Fnatic Considers Japanese Expansion After $17M Funding Round First Appeared on GamblingTV.com.
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