Franchise Notes: Relegated French Club Evian Asking Fans For Pledges

French National league side Evian Thonon Gaillard, relegated from Ligue 2 last season, is “launching a capital increase via participatory shareholding focusing on supporters.” The club, and its two majority shareholders, President Esfandiar Bakhtiar and local businessman Richard Tumbach, “are asking for pledges.” The club is calling on “all of the forces in the region: the supporters, the small, medium and big businesses” to become shareholders with the club in a campaign called “Friends of ETG” at a price starting at €5 ($5.70) (L’ÉQUIPE, 6/7).

La Liga side Valencia now has an eSports team. The club officially presented the eSports players that will represent it in gaming tournaments. Valencia is "looking to promote its brand through video games in a business followed by millions of fans worldwide" (AS, 6/7).