We might be fresh off “Spring Beak 2021” but judging by all the activity in the esports space, there hasn’t been much rest among the players in the arena, both on the gaming and business side.
TGS Esports Inc. (TSX-V: TGS, Forum) is so busy its latest news release is packed full of events this month alone. The next date coming up is a tournament tomorrow (Saturday, April 10th) and those players will be vying for a piece of the $2,000 prize pool later this month at a tournament put on by TGS partners NorQuest College.
“The best events attract the most players,” noted TGS Chief Executive Officer Spiro Khouri, who added that they continue to see incredibly high demand and sold-out events across all of the tournaments TGS is running–both directly and for its partners.
“We are seeing unsurpassed demand and our event team is growing to accommodate our expanding list of partners. We have 21 event dates in April, and it grows month over month.”
Esports’ business is built on partnerships, one of the most notable of late was with ESE Entertainment Inc. (TSX-V: ESE), who signed high-end audio equipment manufacturer JBL to sponsor FIA Rally Star, its initiative to find the next generation of World Rally Champions.
Not to be outdone, Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (TSX: EGLX) signed an integrated and strategic partnership deal with ESPAT TV. In its news released this week, EGLX explained that ESPAT TV will leverage Enthusiast Gaming’s reach into the “GenZ and Millennial” demographics, utilizing the company’s integrated platform of fan communities to engage with a wider audience. ESPAT TV’s Creative Collective consists of Ridley Scott Creative Group, Petrol, PRG, and Movers & Shakers.
While a lot of the newfound attention coming to esports is thanks to the bigger “stay at home audience”, it is still synonymous with bringing crowds together.
The assets of a gaming centre previously owned by a PLAYlive Nation franchisee in Vancouver, WA, USA has just been acquired by Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company (OTCQB: WINR), whose CEO, Roman Franklin noted will become their 14th corporate owned gaming centre and eighth on the West Coast.
“We plan to continue with strategic gaming center acquisitions as well as construction of new locations throughout 2021. The disruptions in the commercial real estate market, due to COVID-19 lockdowns have created an amazing opportunity to partner with landlords that are enthusiastic about our esports gaming centers being an experiential draw to increase foot traffic for their malls. I expect Vancouver and our other corporate gaming centers with percentage rent leases to be profitable within the first 30 days of operating at full capacity.”
The business side is also reaching new levels.
Fandom Sports Media Corp. (CSE: FDM) has closed the first tranche of its private placement financing of up to five million units raising gross proceeds of $4.3 million. In a media release for investors, the FDM team stated that the proceeds are earmarked for technology development and integration, along with general corporate purposes and operations in Canada and abroad.
After news of its high-profile partnership to bring its ORYX Gaming content to online casino and sportsbook operator Casumo, Bragg Gaming Group (TSX: BRAG) made news this week when it filed a new preliminary short form base shelf prospectus with securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.
When final, the prospectus will permit Bragg to offer and sell common shares, unsecured debt securities, subscription receipts, warrants, other securities convertible or exchange for common shares or other securities of the company in various offerings having an aggregate value of up to $500 million (CAD).
Good gamers need good gear.
The products (pictured left, image via Corsair Gaming) include the streamlined K70 RGB TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, the SABRE RGB PRO mouse, and SABRE PRO mouse. Both boast “lightning-fast inputs, along with a comfortable ergonomic shape and ultra-light weight for superior agility and control”.
Let’s wrap things up with one of the best partnerships announced this week – esports and beer.
Dignitas, the esports vertical of New Meta Entertainment. (NME), announced that Voodoo Ranger, the IPA family of the New Belgium Brewing company, is now its official beer partner.
(Image via New Belgium Brewing.)
Bottoms up!
Got an esports news tip or story idea to share? Email me at jon.brown@stockhouse.com.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Fandom Sports Media Corp., ESE Entertainment Inc., GameSquare Esports Inc, and Bragg Gaming Group are clients of Stockhouse Publishing.
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