PenFed could play role with in-person events when they return and will be involved with military charitiesWASHINGTON JUSTICE
Overwatch League team Washington Justice has signed Pentagon Federal Credit Union to a three-year sponsorship extension that includes expanded assets such as a jersey patch and co-branded credit card venture. Terms were not revealed for the pact, which was announced this morning. The deal began last year after the company originally aligned with team Owner Mark Ein’s tennis properties and then stretched its relationship to his esports venture. PenFed’s assets include the previously mentioned patch, co-branded credit card, which the sides say is the first of its kind within esports, plus some social/digital content opportunities and a presence at the team’s new physical HQ in DC. PenFed could also play a role with in-person events when they return and will be involved with military charity efforts. Ein said PenFed was originally interested in the deal to help augment its other marketing with a platform that messaged to younger demos, and that it has found success with the partnership. Ein told SBJ, “They were always really big fans of what we did with our tennis property and it started with that … their marketing people know it’s important to speak to a younger demo and that’s where esports is spending their time. … It was just massively effective and impactful and we really delivered on all those things, so at the end of last year, they wanted to make it a long-term partnership.” PenFed says it is America's second largest federal credit union with 2.2 million members and $26B in assets.
HOPEFUL ON RETURN OF FANS: Ein said he is hopeful that the league will be able to return to having some in-person games later this season with fans. The Justice hosted two last year before the pandemic started. Meanwhile, DC has been mentioned as a possible expansion city for fellow Activision Blizzard Esports property Call of Duty League, and sources say Ein is in talks with ABE about landing the slot.
