This week in esports: TI9, Canon, Echo Fox, Wiz Khalifa

Whether it’s Wiz Khalifa and Canon entering esports through long-term partnerships, Echo Fox proposing to sell its LCS franchise to the owner of Los Angeles Gladiators, or The International 2019 breaking the record for the highest prize pool of any esports event, this week in esports has provided a variety of interesting stories.

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The International 2019 raises largest prize pool in esports history

The International 2019 Prize Pool
Photo credit: Valve

Valve’s The International 2019 (TI9) officially has the largest prize pool of any single event in esports history, with over a month to go before crowdfunding concludes.

Epic Games’ Fortnite World Cup previously held the record for the biggest announced prize pool for an event at $30 million (£24 million).

Read the full article here.

Toronto Defiant announces partnership with Canon Canada

Toronto Defiant Canon Canada
Image Credit: OverActive Media

OverActive Media named Canon Canada as the exclusive camera and video recording streaming partner of its Overwatch League franchise Toronto Defiant.

The deal includes a jersey sponsorship, a post-match ‘Photo of the Day’ social media series, a nationwide contest to find a home game photographer, the naming rights to the ‘Defiant Stream Zone’, and the sponsorship of the franchise’s new ‘Behind the Lens’ content series.

Read the full article here.

Echo Fox proposes to sell LCS franchise slot

Echo Fox LCS Proposal
Photo credit: Riot Games

North American organisation Echo Fox submitted a proposal to sell its franchise slot in Riot Games‘ LCS following struggles to remove a shareholder that allegedly used racist language towards both Rick Fox and Jace Hall.

It was reported that Los Angeles Gladiators parent company Kroenke Sports & Entertainment agreed to purchase the slot for $30.25 million (£24.2 million).

Read the full article here.

Pittsburgh Knights announces partnership with Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa Pittsburgh Knights
Photo credit: The Come Up Show

North American organisation Pittsburgh Knights announced a strategic partnership with Pittsburgh-native, Grammy Award-winning rapper Wiz Khalifa.

The rapper will bring his “expertise in creative direction, marketing, live events and entertainment” to the organisation.

Read the full article here.