Collegiate esports tournament organiser CSL Esports has named the daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator PrizePicks as its official DFS partner.
As a result of the collaboration, the two entities will host The PrizePicks AWPTOBER Classic, an online CS:GO tournament featuring $25,000 (~£18,084) in prize money.
RELATED: CSL Esports partners with US sports conferences AEC and WCC
Rob Johnson, CSL Esports CEO, spoke on the announcement: “We are so excited to partner with PrizePicks, an organisation with an exceptional track record in fantasy sports.”
“The PrizePicks AWPTOBER Classic is a clear example of PrizePicks’ exceptional commitment to supporting collegiate esports athletes. Both PrizePicks and CSL Esports are focused on enhancing the experience of students and fans everywhere, and we are very confident this partnership will deliver a level of excitement never before seen in esports.”
The PrizePicks AWPTOBER Classic is set to take place in October and will reportedly feature hundreds of collegiate esports teams from across North America. The final rounds of the tournament will be held during the last two weekends of October and will be broadcasted on CSL Esports’s Twitch channel.
Adam Wexler, PrizePicks CEO, commented: “Esports has gone from being a lifeline for fantasy sports in 2020 to a true line of business for us in 2021 and beyond.
“Collegiate esports is among the industry’s fastest-growing segments and this partnership will continue to foster that interest through the intersection of the esports and DFS audiences.”
RELATED: Nerd Street, NACE, CSL Esports and Mainline launch collegiate league
In addition, CSL Esports and PrizePicks have also partnered with women-led community the*gameHERs to market the tournament to a wider audience.
As a part of the deal, PrizePicks will sponsor the Esports Top Team of the Year award at the 2021 gameHERs Awards.
Rebecca Longawa, Collegiate Strategist for the*gameHERs, said: “At the*gameHERs we aim to support the collegiate ecosystem through amplifying existing events and working with brands and organisations who believe in our mission to create safe and inclusive spaces for women who game.
“Partnering with CSL and PrizePicks for this event not only encourages more women to participate and tune in, but also gives them peace of mind knowing every participant will be following the*gameHERs code of conduct.”
Esports Insider says: CSL’s continuous efforts of enhancing the collegiate esports ecosystem in North America are admirable. It’s also nice to see more of an emphasis being put on creating collegiate esports opportunities for women.
[primis_video widget=”5183″]