Raptors look to win — and learn more about esports world in NBA gaming league
TORONTO — The growing world of esports grabbed Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s attention last August when the Air Canada Centre hosted the North American “League of Legends” championship.
“We sold out two days in the dead of the summer,” said David Hopkinson, MLSE’s chief commercial officer. “We sold both dates out in seconds … in less than a minute.”
There has been no shortage of opportunities for MLSE in the video gaming world. Hopkinson reckons he has got at least 20 offers to get involved with teams or leagues.
“We’re evaluating those,” he said. “It’s not clear to us right now if participating in something like an ‘Overwatch’ league or a “League of Legends’ league or owning a team in any of those leagues … if that’s something that makes sense for us.