The Xbox360-exclusive Major League Gaming (the biggest console-gaming tournament organization in
the world) signed an agreement with ESPN.com to exclusively host MLG video game competitive content, material & news at http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/mlg and ESPN branding will be attached to MLG game tournaments.
Oh, that’s so sweet.
Why? It means there’s more money coming into MLG. And with more money comes bigger venues, bigger prizes, more prestige, more publicity, and more exposure to professional video gamers. The top prize in 2007 was $100,000 with over $475,000 in prize money doled out.
Now, with a national broadcasting outlet like ESPN available with national advertising aligned with it… oh… my…
ESPN Enters Content Agreement With Major League Gaming
ESPN.com, the leading online sports destination, today announced it has entered a content agreement with Major League Gaming (MLG), the leading professional video game league.
ESPN will serve as a primary outlet for news about MLG, providing extensive digital coverage of MLG’s 2008 Pro Circuit Competitions, including exclusive streamed matches, pro player interviews, and scores and stats. Additionally, MLG will host ESPN co-branded online video game tournaments.ESPN will be on site at each of the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit Competitions, reporting news from its own coverage booth for various ESPN programs and platforms, including ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network.
Additionally, ESPN.com will launch a competitive video gaming section replete with all of the latest news, information and video as it relates to competitive gaming. The section will include background on MLG, interviews with marquee players, video from past competitions and the ESPN/MLG Top Ten, which includes regularly updated video highlighting top game play from MLG pros and players. ESPN.com will announce details of MLG’s 2008 Pro Circuit season in the coming weeks.
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(I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that when I was a kid, I realllllly wanted to play video games professionally. Add to that, that Major League Gaming uses Xbox 360 exclusively, playing world tournaments for such reknown games as Halo 3, Halo 2, Gears of War, and Shadowrun… you can understand my excitement over this announcement. God speed Major League Gaming!)
Kurt's Thoughts 