European esports club G2 Esports has secured a round of investment from some heavyweight names.
FC Barcelona midfielder André Gomes, Eric Mindich’s Everblue Management, MACRO Ventures, and Marc Lemann of Go4it are among the team’s newest investors.
Details about the investment amount remain undisclosed. The funding will apparently be used to improve the team’s talent infrastructure and boost content and brand initiatives.
Since its inception in 2013, G2 Esports, founded by League of Legends world champion Carlos “ocelote” Rodriguez, has enjoyed significant success. In League, the team won the last three EU LCS splits and finished second at MSI 2017, solidifying its spot as Europe’s current top team. G2 Esports also fields rosters in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Hearthstone, Rocket League, Vainglory, and Super Smash Bros.
“With this group,” Rodriguez said. “we are confident that we can continue on our growth path, build world-class teams and create cutting-edge content. G2 is thrilled to bring partners on board that are both passionate about esports and committed to our global growth.”
The investors come from a wide range of backgrounds with André Gomes, starting midfielder for FC Barcelona as the most prominent figure. Unsurprisingly, his was the name that the team were most eager to tout.
“In this increasingly digital world, I see tremendous potential in esports,” Gomes said. “Carlos’s vast experience as a successful player, entertainer, and successful team owner combined with G2’s impressive track record makes this investment a perfect fit. Esports is the next generation of sports and League of Legends is its cornerstone.”
Alongside the funding round, G2 Esports has engaged Inner Circle Sports LLC, a sports and media investment bank, as a strategic advisor.
