New Zealand Warriors Announce Esports Team

The NRL’s Vodafone Warriors are looking to have a presence in the growing esports industry by partnering with successful Australasian esports team, Blank Esports.

Blank Esports, who won Best Internationa Performance of the year at the 2018 Esports Pro Awards, will now be known as Warriors Esports and will continue to compete in the Australian Overwatch Contenders League.

It is understood the team will aggressively look to expand into other esports before the end of the year and Vodafone Warriors CEO, Cameron George, said the new partnership was an exciting forum for the club to be involved in as eSports continues to grow both locally and globally.

“It’s estimated that this year around 427 million people worldwide will be watching some form of esports, so for the Vodafone Warriors it was a no brainer to have a presence in this growing industry,” he said.

“We know that many of our current fans are eSports fanatics, as are many of our players, and we also hope to engage a different audience by having a presence through this exciting new partnership.”

Blank Esports chairman Mark David said the organisation was excited to be partnering with one of Australasia’s biggest sporting brands.

“The Vodafone Warriors will bring sports science expertise to our players and overall professionalism to how our club operates,” he said.

“In return we will expand their brand to a new demographic.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Vodafone Warriors fans and New Zealand esports fans to get behind a homegrown success story as we get ready to make Warriors Esports the most successful club in Asia Pacific.”