Game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has partnered with broadcast production agency Whisper to deliver event and broadcast services for EA Sports FC professional tournaments.
Whisper highlights that the agency’s responsibilities will include location sourcing, set/lighting design, audience and player management as well as live broadcasting duties. The latter of which covers show creation, event production, live OB and post-production.
EA Esports FC 24 is the franchise’s inaugural release following its split, and subsequent rebranding, from FIFA last year.
The first event to be delivered by Whisper is the FC Pro Open Qualifiers in London running from November 10th to November 12th. This is the third stage of the FC Pro Open circuit and the top 16 players will officially qualify for the FC Pro Open proper which will be presented by Whisper. The partnership will also see Whisper produce the eChampions League in May 2024.
This move is Whisper’s first foray into esports after more than a decade in television production. Founded in 2010, the company is perhaps best known for its work in sports broadcasting. Notably, the company was awarded a BAFTA for Best Sports Coverage alongside the BBC for its production of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. Whisper has also delivered Formula One coverage for UK TV channel Channel 4 since 2016.
Geoff Riding, Chief Commercial Officer for Whisper, commented on the partnership: “This partnership marks an exciting step into esports for all at Whisper and we will lean into our approach that Entertainment Is Everything.
“Our aim is to feed the core EA SPORTS FC fanbase with our EA SPORTS FC Pro Open shows, with clarity in production and a focus on gameplay and also to hook the casual fan, with a next level Pro Cup final, including a live audience, live music, and creative staging that fuses incredible gameplay with pure spectacle. We’re loving working with EA and can’t wait for the first event.”
