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Activision Blizzard’s esports competition, the Overwatch League, has announced a multi-year deal with licensed sports merchandise company Fanatics.
The deal will see the Overwatch League fanbase provided with an omnichannel retail experience as well as a significantly expanded assortment of products by Fanatics. The agreement marks the first-ever foray into the professional gaming industry for Fanatics and is the first of its kind between a major retailer and an official esports league.
The terms see Fanatics secure US and international rights to produce Overwatch League jerseys, fan gear, headwear, and hard goods sold across all retail and wholesale channels. Under the new agreement, both parties will also work collaboratively to identify and secure additional world-class companies to grow the overall assortment of high-quality products available to fans.
In addition, Fanatics will establish a new global ecommerce and mobile shopping platform and operate on-site retail for all league events.
“Our collaboration with Fanatics—the first between a major esports league and a global sports merchandising company—allows us to reach even more fans and to provide them with high-quality merchandise and a best-in-class retail experience where they can shop for all our great Overwatch League gear,” said Brandon Snow, chief revenue officer of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues. “Fanatics has a proven track record of success with major sports brands and we’re excited to work with them in expanding this part of our business.”
“The demand for team gear during our inaugural season was very strong,” said Daniel Siegel, head of esports licensing for Blizzard Entertainment. “A significant number of fans—for regular-season matches at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles and at the grand finals in Brooklyn—showed up in jerseys to support their teams, and we’re thrilled to make it even easier for them to represent their favorite teams and players.”
“Esports has been on our radar for some time now and we are incredibly excited to mark our first deal with the best in the world in Activision Blizzard around their incredibly successful Overwatch League,” added Ross Tannenbaum, head of special projects for Fanatics.
The agreement between the Overwatch League and Fanatics will be implemented before the start of the 2019 Overwatch League season, which kicks off on 14th February. At that time, Overwatch League gear will be available on a dedicated digital store and on select sites across Fanatics’ global network.
Activision Blizzard’s esports competition, the Overwatch League, has announced a multi-year deal with licensed sports merchandise company Fanatics.
The deal will see the Overwatch League fanbase provided with an omnichannel retail experience as well as a significantly expanded assortment of products by Fanatics. The agreement marks the first-ever foray into the professional gaming industry for Fanatics and is the first of its kind between a major retailer and an official esports league.
The terms see Fanatics secure US and international rights to produce Overwatch League jerseys, fan gear, headwear, and hard goods sold across all retail and wholesale channels. Under the new agreement, both parties will also work collaboratively to identify and secure additional world-class companies to grow the overall assortment of high-quality products available to fans.
In addition, Fanatics will establish a new global ecommerce and mobile shopping platform and operate on-site retail for all league events.
“Our collaboration with Fanatics—the first between a major esports league and a global sports merchandising company—allows us to reach even more fans and to provide them with high-quality merchandise and a best-in-class retail experience where they can shop for all our great Overwatch League gear,” said Brandon Snow, chief revenue officer of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues. “Fanatics has a proven track record of success with major sports brands and we’re excited to work with them in expanding this part of our business.”
“The demand for team gear during our inaugural season was very strong,” said Daniel Siegel, head of esports licensing for Blizzard Entertainment. “A significant number of fans—for regular-season matches at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles and at the grand finals in Brooklyn—showed up in jerseys to support their teams, and we’re thrilled to make it even easier for them to represent their favorite teams and players.”
“Esports has been on our radar for some time now and we are incredibly excited to mark our first deal with the best in the world in Activision Blizzard around their incredibly successful Overwatch League,” added Ross Tannenbaum, head of special projects for Fanatics.
The agreement between the Overwatch League and Fanatics will be implemented before the start of the 2019 Overwatch League season, which kicks off on 14th February. At that time, Overwatch League gear will be available on a dedicated digital store and on select sites across Fanatics’ global network.
