Menu
Closing Bell

Sources: Dodgers' VC Arm Leads Esports Investment

Elysian Park Ventures, the VC arm of the Dodgers, is leading a $30M Series B investment in L.A.-based scholastic esports startup PlayVS, according to sources. PlayVS is expected to announce the funding tomorrow. Team owners are increasingly investing as a side business, but leading a round is highly unusual. In addition to the Dodgers, Adidas is investing in this round. 

Founded last year, PlayVS hopes its software platform will ultimately become the league for organized high school esports. In April, it secured a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations. It is currently running a test season involving schools in five states for Riot Games’ “League of Legends” title. With the new funding, it will expand into seven additional states and three more game titles. Schools and individuals pay monthly per-player fees to join.

The PlayVS investment idea emerged out of the Dodgers investment accelerator, Global Sports Venture Studio. But the investment is through Elysian, not the Studio. The Series B round comes quickly on the heels of PlayVS’ June Series A round, which included the 49ers, Chargers OT Russell Okung, Jets OT Kelvin Beachum and former NBAer Baron Davis.

For more coverage of the business of esports, visit our partners, esportsobserver.com.

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: April 25, 2024

Motor City's big weekend; Kevin Warren's big bet; Bill Belichick's big makeover and the WNBA's big week continues

TNT’s Stan Van Gundy, ESPN’s Tim Reed, NBA Playoffs and NFL Draft

On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with TNT’s Stan Van Gundy as he breaks down the NBA Playoffs from the booth. Later in the show, we hear from ESPN’s VP of Programming and Acquisitions Tim Reed as the NFL Draft gets set to kick off on Thursday night in Motown. SBJ’s Tom Friend also joins the show to share his insights into NBA viewership trends.

SBJ I Factor: Molly Mazzolini

SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2018/11/19/Dodgers-esports.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2018/11/19/Dodgers-esports.aspx

CLOSE