Game Bits: A Blizzard Leader Resigns, Spurs Invests In Tribe Gaming, Another NFL Players Joins A Esports Organization
There has been a leadership change at Blizzard Entertainment. Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will replace J. Allen Brack as co-leaders of World of Warcraft.
A former head of Vicarious Visions, a studio recently acquired by Activision Blizzard, Oneal joined Blizzard in January in the role of executive vice president of development. After a long tenure at XBOX, Ybarra joined Blizzard in 2019.
It does not mention the current lawsuit and allegations made against Blizzard Entertainment and its leadership with respect to sexual misconduct or workplace discrimination, the press release does mention they are considering ways to create a “welcoming workplace” for marginalized groups and to regain fans’ trust.
In 2018, Brock became Blizzard’s CEO following the departure of longtime CEO Mike Morhaime. Brack was previously the Executive Producer of World of Warcraft.
Spurs Sports Invests In Tribe Gaming
Spurs Sports & Entertainment has joined Tribe Gaming’s investment group for mobile-based esports. The investment’s financial details were not disclosed.
Tribe is a gaming organization focused exclusively on mobile competitive games. Patrick Carney’s personal YouTube channel has over 2.5 million subscribers, and the organization as a whole has gained over 25 million subscribers. Along with its mobile content creators, Tribe also has esports teams for Brawl Stars, Call of Duty Mobile, Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and League of Legends Wild Rift.
The company raised over $1 million in a seed round in 2020 that included Charlotte Hornets player Gordon Hayward and WWE wrestler Caludio Castagnoli.
Another NFL Player Joins An Esports Organization
Kansas City Pioneers, an esports organization based in Missouri, have announced the addition of NFL player Armani Watts as a content creator. Watts, a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, was drafted to the team in a fourth-round pick during the 2018 NFL Draft. Prior to that, he played college ball at Texas A&M.
Watts joins the Pioneers’ roster, which also includes Kansas City native Marcus Denmon of the Shanghai Sharks (a Chinese basketball team) and tennis pro Jack Sock.
Currently, the Pioneers field teams in Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Madden NFL, Halo, Valorant, and Call of Duty. The organization is sponsored by DoorDash, Under Armour, and Midwest marketing firm Social Apex Media.
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