Overwatch League Toronto President Chris Overholt said that he "got some advice" about esports from "one of the most successful sports executives in history" in NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern before deciding to enter the industry, according to Steven Loung of SPORTSNET.ca. Overholt said, "I was approached by some friends in the U.S. to go and meet with the Activision Blizzard people about a year and a half ago, and they wanted to talk to me at the time about what they were building." Overholt noted he "spent some time" with Stern in N.Y. and "chatted with him a little bit about it." Overholt: "After about 90 minutes, I asked David, 'You've been around this a long time, you were a 30-year commissioner of the NBA. What do you think?' And he said, 'I think it's here to stay.' That was February 2017." Loung noted Stern was "likely alluding to the industry as a whole." Overholt "admits he doesn't quite understand the appeal of esports, completely, but isn't letting that get in the way of a new, exciting opportunity." Overholt said, "The kids who play these games and the young people who enjoy them the way they do, they see the skills the same way as DeMar DeRozan grabbing a defensive rebound, streaking down the court and slamming the ball over two guys" (SPORTSNET.ca, 9/10).
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