Team Dignitas have hired the former co-Executive Producer of NBC Sports, Michael Prindiville, as their CEO. The hire, initially reported at the start of the month on ESPN, was initially announced yesterday, May 22nd, by Ben Fischer of the SportsBusiness Journal, before the organisation’s confirmation.
Prindiville has experience in esports through working as the project manager for the Universal Open, in partnership with FACEIT, which is set to return for a second season this summer. He also helped develop the upcoming NHL Gaming World Championships, another tournament working in partnership with FACEIT.
Michael Prindiville, CEO of Team Dignitas, stated on joining his new home: “I’m thrilled to join such a storied esports organization as Team Dignitas and look forward to building something truly special. We will operate with long-term patience and short-term speed to capitalize on game-changing opportunities, such as what we did this past week in our signing of the best Rocket League team in the world. With a strategic plan intact and the support of one of the most revered sports and entertainment companies in the world, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, I’m confident Team Dignitas can reach the pinnacle of esports.”
The move also coincided with the acquisition of the reigning Rocket League world champions, who were previously at the organization Gale Force Esports. Coincidentally, two of the team were champions of the inaugural Universal Open last year. With the end-of-season championship set for the start of June in London, the team are looking to retain their title and now have the backing of Team Dignitas to do so.
This roster move could provide insight to further troubles at Gale Force Esports, with the team being rumoured to have wanted to let go of the Rocket League team in January, alongside the removal of their CS:GO roster. They are also suffering problems in Heroes of the Storm, with the organization suffering confusion of who owned the team’s spot in the Heroes of the Storm Global Championship.
Esports Insider says: Big moves over at Team Dignitas, who have brought in an experienced mind from the world of TV, as well as a successful Rocket League team who are bearing down on retaining the Rocket League Championship title. It’s all looking on the up for Dignitas right now.