Entering text into the input field will update the search result below

Activision creates e-sports division to be headed by former ESPN CEO

Oct. 22, 2015 2:13 PM ETActivision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI) StockBy: Jason Aycock, SA News Editor
  • Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI +2.7%) is increasing its bet on "e-sports" -- competitive videogaming as a spectator sport -- with a pair of high-profile hires to lead a new division.
  • Steve Bornstein, former CEO of ESPN and the NFL Network, will be chairman of the new unit, with Mike Sepso (co-founder and president of Major League Gaming) serving as senior vice president.
  • "I believe e-sports will rival the biggest traditional sports leagues in terms of future opportunities, and between advertising, ticket sales, licensing, sponsorships and merchandising, there are tremendous growth areas for this nascent industry," said Bornstein.
  • Blizzard has been an early adopter of televised e-sports with its franchises StarCraft and World of Warcraft, and got its "Heroes of the Dorm" collegiate event for Heroes of the Storm telecast on ESPN2 earlier this year.
  • Meanwhile, the Activision side has big plans for annual international championships around Call of Duty.
  • Previously: E-sports: Activision widens competition; Turner has prime-time plans (Sep. 24 2015)

Recommended For You

More Trending News

Related Stocks

SymbolLast Price% Chg
ATVI--
Activision Blizzard, Inc.