Michael Jordan is entering into esports – as an investor

NBA legend and corridor of famer Michael Jordan is main an investor group that’s funding Team Liquid father or mother firm aXiomatic Gaming to the tune of $26 million USD.

The basketball star, staff proprietor, and cultural icon led the funding group by his household workplace, in accordance with reporting by Crunchbase.

“I’m excited to expands my sports equity portfolio through my investment in aXiomatic,” Jordan stated in a press launch. “Esports is a fast-growing, international industry and I’m glad to partner with this great group of investors.”

The funding group additionally contains Carlyle Group co-founder and co-executive chairman David M. Rubenstein, by his firm Declaration Capital, in addition to Curtis Polk, Jordan’s supervisor of economic and enterprise affairs. Polk can also be the managing companion and alternate governor of Hornets Sports & Entertainment – the enterprise that runs the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, which Jordan owns.

The group didn’t disclose how a lot every investor had contributed to the $26 million whole.

AXiomatic was shaped in late 2015, and the following yr purchased a controlling stake in esports group Team Liquid.

“The next generation of sports fans are esports fans,” stated aXiomatic co-executive chairman and founder Ted Leonsis in a statement on the company’s website. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Declaration Capital to aXiomatic and look forward to working together on some truly cutting-edge opportunities.”

“From the beginning of our esports and video gaming journey aXiomatic has sought to bring together world-class talent in its investor group,” stated aXiomatic CEO and co-founder Bruce Stein. “We are extremely excited to welcome these esteemed investors into the aXiomatic and Team Liquid family and look forward to their valuable and unique perspectives.”

Team Liquid itself is estimated by Forbes to be price $200 million. AXiomatic says this newest spherical of capital funding will assist it energy “even more engaging esports experiences” and strengthen its current partnerships.

Top picture credit score: aXiomatic Gaming

 
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