NFL Free Agent Jay Ajayi Becomes Pro Gamer With Union's eMLS Team

Free-agent RB Jay Ajayi has signed with the Union's eMLS team, making him the "first NFL player to become a professional gamer," according to Kennedy Rose of the PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL. The eMLS League is an esports league "designed to elevate MLS' profile and build its fan base." Ajayi will first play at the eMLS League Series One at Union Transfer in Philadelphia on Friday, and will play for the Union in the '20 eMLS Cup (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/7). In Philadelphia, Jonathan Tannenwald notes Ajayi has been a gamer for "quite a while, and at times he livestreams his sessions." Union CMO Doug Vosik said that the team "reached out to Ajayi first, having decided to see if they could find a current pro athlete who would fit the bill as a gamer." Vosik said, "From a business and marketing sense, this is a great fan engagement opportunity. It's a great auxiliary extension of the league" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/8).

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