EnVyUs recently acquired a multi million investment into their organisation. The esports organization which has teams in multiple titles has been one of the best Overwatch teams in NA since a long time. The North American team has made strides with significant deep runs into the OGN Apex Overwatch seasons.
With Taimou at the helm, they have remained one of the consistently good teams. Right now they have received a significant investment from Hersh Interactive Group. The exact amount of the investment has not been made public through official channels, but we have seen a report which shows the amount pegged at $35 million.
The full press release in its entirety :
For Team Envy owner and CEO Mike Rufail, relocating the 50 professional players and employees of Envy Gaming, Inc., to Dallas with the support of Hersh Interactive Group serves as a welcomed homecoming. Rufail, who has built one of the most successful esports franchises of all time at Team Envy, is a native Texan, having been born and raised in Lufkin.
Moving Team Envy to North Texas is possible due to the new partnership with Hersh Interactive Group, the esports investment arm of Hersh Family Investments, which confirmed a significant capital investment numbering in the tens of millions of dollars in Team Envy. This follows an earlier investment by John Brock and Brock Sports in Team Envy.
“In order to be the best esports team in the world, you have to be playing the best esports games and have the best partners. We’re doing that while cultivating a growing, engaged and loyal fan base for Team Envy,” said Rufail. “Envy teams have played live in front of tens of thousands of fans at some of the largest arenas in the world. There is nothing like being surrounded by 20,000 passionate fans in a live setting, and with the support of Ken Hersh and Hersh Interactive Group, we will build that type of thrilling fan experience in Dallas.”
Esports are rapidly growing in popularity and sophistication throughout the U.S. and globally, and count more than 190 million enthusiasts among the fan base today. Professional leagues and organizations including the Overwatch League™ from Blizzard Entertainment and the North American League of Legends Championship Series from Riot Games are adopting permanent franchise-based models.
Top esports players make six and seven-figure salaries and live tournaments regularly play in sold-out arenas. Real estate developers and college campuses are also taking notice, introducing new facilities for esports. A recently opened University of North Texas space called “The Nest” serves as a collaborative design and competition space for students in North Texas interested in esports.
Team Envy was an early mover in developing esports franchises and is no stranger to success: the organization has won more championships across multiple esports games than any other group, including the 2016 Call of Duty World Championship and recognition as the 2016 eSports Team of the Year from the Esports Industry Awards. Professional players for Team Envy receive guaranteed salaries, and Team Envy provides housing for players in new or newly-renovated high-end accommodations that feature full-time coaches, support staff and travel coordinators. Team Envy is also one of the most, if not the most culturally diverse team in all of esports, with more than 40 professional players and staff members from 14 countries.
Esports is expected to grow to a $1.5 billion industry by 2020 according to the latest report from market intelligence firm Newzoo, and professional video gaming is gaining the attention of national sponsors, as more and more brands seek new ways and channels to amplify their messages and authentically connect to consumers. For longtime Dallas energy investor Ken Hersh – who is also a minority owner of the Texas Rangers – and the leadership team at Hersh Interactive Group, esports represent the next frontier in creating unique fan and entertainment experiences.
“We intend to make North Texas a leading-edge market in the global development and expansion of esports,” said Randy Chappel, managing director at Hersh Interactive Group. “By partnering with Mike and Team Envy, we are delivering a franchise with a storied history of winning to North Texas, and we are actively working to invest in areas that will improve the structure and environment of esports for players, teams, leagues and fans.”
One initial program is a collaboration between Hersh Investment Group and Team Envy in the design of educational programs for players and staff, to help them manage the mental fatigue of competition and prepare them for growth and life after careers in gaming.
