76ers Co-Owner David Blitzer Discusses Team's E-Sports Franchise

The first pro team to buy an e-sports franchise was the 76ers, but the team's co-owner said it is still very unclear what was bought. David Blitzer, co-Owner of the 76ers, as well as the Devils and EPL club Crystal Palace, at the CAA World Congress of Sports called e-sports the Wild West. “It’s buying a place within this new ecosystem where you don’t know exactly how it will turn out over time,” he said. Blitzer first learned about e-sports by reading an article about a sold-out event at Madison Square Garden. Asked how he will measure success in three years, Blitzer replied: “Absolutely no idea.” He added that e-sports is about “growing our brand to the point where it is relevant.” Blitzer is known for risks. The 76ers have essentially tanked seasons to secure valuable draft picks. Asked if he ever questioned the process, he replied, “Every day. It was brutal, let’s not mince words.” The club did show a competitive pulse this past season, though the jury is still out as to whether the plan will work.