(Courtesy of Riot Games)
Esports ownership group aXiomatic opened another seat at the table for Tampa Bay Lightning owner and chairman Jeff Vinik.
The minority owner of Fenway Sports Group and owner of Arena Football League Tampa Bay Storm joins fellow co-chairmen and team owners Peter Guber (Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Ted Leonsis (Monumental Sports & Entertainment) as an investor, voting manager and co-executive chairman of aXiomatic.
“I’ve watched the growth of the esports industry for a number of years and the opportunity to become involved with the impressive group already assembled at aXiomatic is the ideal way for me to make an impact,” Vinik said in a statement. “In addition to developing our strategic investment in Team Liquid, working with Steve and Victor to continue to grow the brand and helping the success of the team, I look forward to working with Peter, Ted and Bruce in evolving the industry in a meaningful, authentic way.”
Added Bruce Stein, Chief Executive Officer of aXiomatic in a statement: “Jeff has a brilliant track record in identifying and maximizing investment opportunities as well as building professional sports teams. Jeff also has a respected friendship with Peter and Ted so from a fit standpoint we couldn’t imagine a better partner.”
Besides Vinik and Leonsis, Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs — who is the chairman of Delaware North, parent company for the Bruins and TD Garden — entered the esports scene in February after the hospitality and food service company purchased a piece of Rochester, N.Y.-based team Splyce.
Also joining the investment announcement at aXiomatic, which owns a majority investment in Team Liquid, is Jac Sperling, former NBA governor of the New Orleans Pelicans and Founder of Grit Rock Ventures.
Along with serving on the NHL Board of Governors and the League’s Executive Committee, Vinik is the Chairman of an investment group he found in 2013 called American Investment Holdings (AIH). He and Cascade Investment are also partners in a nine million square foot mixed-use development project to help rejuvenate the downtown Tampa area around the home of the Lightning, Amalie Arena.
