The latest indicator that esports business is booming is the talent esports franchises are hiring to head up their operations.
Echo Fox, the organization founded by three-time NBA champ Rick Fox, became the latest team to hire a CEO with experience running big companies, announcing today it had brought on Jace Hall, a former Warner Brothers executive, as its new CEO.
Hall founded game development studio Monolith Productions in 1994, serving as CEO of the studio for over a decade before moving to an executive management position position after its acquisition by Warner Brothers in 2004. He oversaw the development of dozens of successful game releases, including F.E.A.R and No One Lives Forever.
“I feel very fortunate to welcome Jace to the Echo Fox family,” Fox said in the press release. “He is an industry leader whose experience, vision and knowledge of the eSports industry make him an incredible addition to our franchise.”
The new CEO’s experience in game development, though, may not be his most relevant experience to esports. In 2014, he acquired the seemingly defunct Twin Galaxies, the famous video game world record tracker that’s run since 1981, and revived the product with a new website featuring all the high scores of yore. That certainly shows a commitment and belief in video games as a competitive platform.
Hall also has experience in media and media distribution, making him well versed in the myriad disciplines required to run an esports franchise like Echo Fox.
“I have had the privilege of being at the vanguard of game development and interactive entertainment for a very long time,” Hall said. “Esports is a wonderful arena that allows gamers to showcase their skills and establish themselves as professional athletes. I expect the industry to grow dramatically.”
Echo Fox organization since Fox founded it late last year, most recently adding an H1Z1 team to its list of lineups and adding Daniel “Roca” Gustaferri to its top American Counter-Strike squad. The addition of Hall should provide the veteran leadership to allow Echo Fox to continue its growth into a premiere esports franchise in North America.
