PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 – The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have acquired controlling stakes in Team Dignitas and Team Apex from owners Michael O’Dell and David Slan respectively, and they will be combining the two eSports’ leading franchises under the Team Dignitas banner.
The combined organizations will create a powerhouse competitor in the booming business of eSports; bringing under one roof Team Apex’s wildly popular League of Legends team with other standout games including Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm and Smite. This marks the first time an ownership group of a North American sports franchise has acquired an eSports team; the group will utilize their business expertise and vast resources to bring infrastructure and alignment to position these eSports teams for future growth. The Sixers intend to manage the day-to-day operations of Team Dignitas, sharing best practices in sponsorship, sales, branding, digital marketing, merchandising, publicity and more; as well as devote resources to player recruitment, development and wellness.
Respected gaming industry veteran Greg Richardson will serve as Chairman of the new Team Dignitas. ESports luminary Michael O’Dell will lead the newly merged Team Dignitas’ team operations as President, alongside former Team Apex General Manager Michael Slan, who has been named Vice President and General Manager of the new team. The relationship between the Sixers, Team Dignitas and Team Apex was fostered by Tobias Sherman of WME-IMG, who represents Team Dignitas on new partner acquisitions. The Sixers acquired the eSports franchises in partnership with NextEquity Partners, a growth equity and venture capital investment firm. Terms from all transactions were not disclosed.
The combined organizations will create a powerhouse competitor in the booming business of eSports; bringing under one roof Team Apex’s wildly popular League of Legends team with other standout games including Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm and Smite. This marks the first time an ownership group of a North American sports franchise has acquired an eSports team; the group will utilize their business expertise and vast resources to bring infrastructure and alignment to position these eSports teams for future growth. The Sixers intend to manage the day-to-day operations of Team Dignitas, sharing best practices in sponsorship, sales, branding, digital marketing, merchandising, publicity and more; as well as devote resources to player recruitment, development and wellness.
Respected gaming industry veteran Greg Richardson will serve as Chairman of the new Team Dignitas. ESports luminary Michael O’Dell will lead the newly merged Team Dignitas’ team operations as President, alongside former Team Apex General Manager Michael Slan, who has been named Vice President and General Manager of the new team. The relationship between the Sixers, Team Dignitas and Team Apex was fostered by Tobias Sherman of WME-IMG, who represents Team Dignitas on new partner acquisitions. The Sixers acquired the eSports franchises in partnership with NextEquity Partners, a growth equity and venture capital investment firm. Terms from all transactions were not disclosed.
Team Dignitas Roster
Top: Jeon "Ray" Ji-won
Jungle: Lee "Shrimp" Byeong-hoon
Mid: Jang "Keane" Lae-young
ADC: Apollo "Apollo" Price
Support: Alex "Xpecial" Chu
Sub: Cristian "Cris" Rosales
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