MUMBAI: Lagardere Sports has signed an exclusive worldwide deal with esports company RFRSH Entertainment, that will see the agency represent the media rights for a new international esports tournament – Counter-Strike (CS:GO) BLAST Pro Series.
BLAST Pro Series will be launched by RFRSH Entertainment in Copenhagen this November and the tournament will continue in major cities across the globe, returning to Copenhagen in November 2018. Six of the world’s best Counter-Strike:Global Offensive teams will come together in Copenhagen’s Royal Arena for the event. With more than 10,000 spectators in the arena and millions of fans expected to tune in around the globe, the tournament will be the biggest ever international esports event to take place in Denmark, and will also give the six teams a chance to compete for a $250,000 prize pool.
Already managing sponsorship sales for numerous esports teams, the deal now marks Lagardère Sports’ first step in to esports media rights, says a statement. Nikolaus von Doetinchem, Senior Vice President Media, Lagardère Sports said: “Lagardère Sports is becoming a leading marketing agency within the esports industry and it was a natural step for us to also start lending our expertise in media rights – particularly with the phenomenal explosion in the esports market and huge surge in spectatorship for live tournaments.
“We’re looking forward to working with RFRSH Entertainment, who as well as creating, owning and producing the ground breaking format of BLAST Pro Series is an esports front runner when it comes to creative marketing, media and team management. Together with RFRSH, we will commercialise and further professionalise esports media rights.”
Alexander Lewin, VP Programming and Distribution, RFRHS Entertainment said: “Esports is the most engaging live entertainment out there and Counter-Strike is by far the most exciting genre. Our mission at RFRSH Entertainment is to deliver the greatest moments in esports to fans and our mainstream audience, and we have created a range of engaging and innovative content around the BLAST Pro tournament Series. We are delighted to team up with Lagardère Sports to provide our complete tournament package to broadcasters, commercial partners and fans, and look forward to working with the global Lagardère Sports team in our quest to reach millions of homes.”
