Activision Blizzard has acquired Major League Gaming (MLG) in a deal worth $46m. MLG is a leader in creating and streaming premium live gaming events, organizing professional competitions and running competitive gaming leagues.
This acquisition seems to create the ‘ESPN of esports’ as it expands Activision Blizzard’s reach across the rapidly-growing esports ecosystem by adding proven live streaming capabilities and technologies to the Activision Blizzard Media Networks division.
This deal gives Activision Blizzard, who are creators of Call of Duty, a boost into the business of streaming live e-sports matches online. As MLG.TV attracts more than 20 million monthly viewers on computers, mobile devices and videogame consoles, this deal is beneficial to transfer viewers to the online portal.
Activision Blizzard, Chief Executive Officer, Bobby Kotick said, “Our acquisition of Major League Gaming’s business furthers our plans to. MLG’s ability to create premium content and its proven broadcast technology platform – including its live streaming capabilities – strengthens our strategic position in competitive gaming. We are excited to add Sundance and the entire MLG esports team to our competitive gaming initiatives.”
MLG, Chief Executive Officer, Sundance DiGiovanni said, “Our mission for over 12 years has been to promote and expand the growth of competitive gaming worldwide, and today the industry is at a key inflection point as its popularity soars and rivals that of many traditional professional sports. This acquisition and Activision Blizzard’s commitment to competitive gaming will expand the opportunities for gamers to be recognised and celebrated for their competitive excellence.”
Activision Blizzard Media Networks, Senior Vice President, Mike Sepso said, “The acquisition of MLG’s business is an important step towards Activision Blizzard Media Networks’ broader mission to bring esports into the mainstream by creating and broadcasting premium esports content, organising global league play and expanding distribution with key gaming partners.”
MLG will continue to operate MLG.tv, MLG Pro Circuit and GameBattles platforms, and will continue to work with its partners and other publishers across the industry. With over 100 million unique viewers, the esports audience is estimated to be bigger than audiences for many professional sports leagues.