This new partnership will see EEG operating the biannual Madden tournaments on behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, making the company the first esports tournament provider for an NFL club.
The landmark multi-year partnership was marked in early December and it is safe to say that there are more to follow in the coming years.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Philadelphia Eagles as they introduce their fans to the world of competitive esports gaming,” said Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group.
“The Eagles join a growing list of high-profile organizations that have chosen Esports Entertainment Group as their esports tournament provider, affording us an incredible opportunity to expand our brand reach within multiple large, dedicated fan bases and setting the stage for significant growth ahead. We intend to build on this momentum.” He also added.
Grant Johnson believes that as a proud partner of the Philadelphia Eagles, EEG will leverage player imagery within the Eagles’ local market. Esports Entertainment Group will also work with Eagles players to create custom videos that will promote the tournaments and be featured in Eagles’ extensive ongoing digital marketing efforts spanning social, email, mobile, and online channels.
This press release does translate that EEG will use Philadelphia Eagles players in its marketing which also makes the NFL club an official part-owner of the company. However, the press release leaves out many more details. It’s not yet clear whether the Madden tournaments will go live and even if they do, there is no guarantee that the games will hold at Lincoln Financial Field.
Still, there are reports that this partnership could transcend beyond the Madden video game franchise. There is also another potential venue where the live tournament play would hold.
The partnership means more good news for Philadelphia Eagles considering EEG’s partnerships with other casino brands. Atlantic City casinos, one of the pioneers of New Jersey casino gambling, pride themselves with hosting esports event’s and this gives Philadelphia Eagles a chance to be part of this, thanks to EEG’s partnership with Bally’s Atlantic City.
The contract took place way back in September and this gives Philadelphia Eagles an edge considering they are now part-owner of the company. This means they could operate with the contract EEG has with the casino brand for esports wagering. When the legal framework is finalized, EEG plans to run an esports-centric wagering platform under Bally’s license.
Hopefully, the laws of New Jersey won’t stand in the way. Currently, NJ laws only allow limited wagering on esports events. Though the NJ Assembly has made various attempts to expand these limitations in July, that venture didn’t make it through the senate.
EEG’s expansion in the Garden State remains in the hands of the NJ legislators and regulators. If a wider array of esports for wagering is ever approved, EEG would be at the center of it all.
This could also make Eagles’ part-owner of a sportsbook. In addition to that, it would give players access to staking on EEG events at Lincoln Financial Field in NJ, if they meet all the requirements.
The only roadblock to these possibilities is the governance of the competitions. All Eagles have right now is only on paper. They are just the partial owners of a company looking to offer wagering under Bally’s license at some point in the future. When the regulatory conditions are favorable, these connections would be very fruitful.
