Florida-based National Football League (NFL) franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has signed a partnership with Esports Entertainment Group (EEG), which sees it become the team’s official esports tournament platform provider.
As part of the multi-year agreement, EEG will operate co-branded esports tournaments annually for the Buccaneers, using its Esports Gaming League platform.
The platform enables live and online events and tournaments, where gamers can compete and access a range of content relating to esports and video games. Its services include full turnkey esports events, live broadcast production, game launches and online branded tournaments.
As a partner of the franchise, EEG will leverage player imagery within the Buccaneers’ local market, and will work with the team to promote the tournaments in digital marketing campaigns covering social media, email, mobile and online channels.
“We are always looking for ways to engage and build stronger connections with all segments of our fanbase and esports tournaments offer an exciting, new way to continue growing that connection,” said Buccaneers chief operating officer Brian Ford.
“The Esports Entertainment Group’s Buccaneers Gaming Tournaments will be very popular with our fans of all ages and a fun way to compete in an entertaining and social environment with gamers throughout our fan base.”
Grant Johnson, chief executive of EEG, added: “We are thrilled to further expand our reach in the NFL through our partnership with the Buccaneers as our industry-leading tournament platform continues to gain strong traction among top-tier professional sports franchises.
“Our robust tournament platform will help the Buccaneers and their marquee players such as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski strengthen connections with their fans, while providing new avenues for engagement.”
Last week, EEG formed a partnership with another NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, in a deal which also sees it serve as the franchise’s official esports tournament platform provider.
In July, EEG also became the official esports tournament provider of the National Hockey League (NHL)’s New York Rangers, and in March, it signed similar deals with the NFL’s New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.
