Collegiate esports company CSL Esports has become a new division of sports marketing, media, and technology company Playfly Sports.
As a result of the deal, CSL Esports will rebrand to Playfly Esports. According to the release, the division will focus on creating ‘revenue-driving opportunities’ for brands.
In 2020, Playfly Sports announced the acquisition of Collegiate StarLeague (CSL Esports) and WorldGaming Network (WGN). At the time of the announcement, Playfly revealed that the entities would operate independently.
Alongside creating new revenue opportunities, Playfly Esports will continue its existing collaboration with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and North American collegiate competition NACE Starleague. The deal will allow the collegiate league to receive ‘an infusion of resources’ in a bid to improve the competition for spectators and competitors.
According to the release, the new division will offer a range of initiatives such as providing esports curriculums. Moreover, Playfly Esports will assist in brand marketing through content strategy and collaborations.
The announcement of Playfly Esports sees Playfly Sports integrate itself further into the esports industry. Nevertheless, the company has still been prevalent in traditional sports. In recent months, it has collaborated with the likes of the NBA, NFL, and MLB to host a range of marketing campaigns.
Rob Johnson, CEO of Playfly Esports, spoke on the expansion: “This expansion represents a significant shift in the industry that will not only help fuel the rapid expansion of esports but will also establish a platform for gaming companies to monetise their brands through dynamic partnerships.
“By tapping into the massive reach of Playfly’s extensive offerings, Playfly Esports is in a unique position to elevate the organisations that will shape the future of esports by providing those brands with significant opportunities to reach a growing audience.”
Playfly Esports will also continue to operate the eNASCAR College iRacing Series in addition to expanding offerings on the Chess.com platform.
Over the course of the 2021/22 academic year, approximately 700 schools participated in esports in NACE Starleague tournaments. Playfly Esports stated that it will work to build a scholastic infrastructure for future generations of amateur esports players.
