The League of Legends Championship Series slot formerly owned by Gravity Gaming has been purchased by former Boston Celtics and LA Lakers legend Rick Fox.
The three time NBA champion becomes the most decorated athlete to move into eSports ownership. The team will no longer be known as Gravity Gaming and instead will be rebranded as “Echo Fox” for the upcoming season and beyond.
Fox, who now plies his trade as an actor, is no stranger to gaming, having previously partnered with the official gaming world record authority Twin Galaxies. He even donated his three NBA Championship Rings to the campaign #Right2Game which supports the elevation of video game players throughout the world. Fox has been following the competitive gaming scene for some time and now feels it is right to take the plunge into ownership.
In a formal press release, Fox said: “As a professional athlete, businessman and proud member of the gaming community, I see the way that the eSports world is growing and I know we are on the verge of something massive. The opportunity to parlay my experience in sports, entertainment and gaming into a leadership role with Echo Fox is exciting and humbling. This decision is equal parts business and personal for me.”
“The desire, focus, dedication and work ethic that I have seen from athletes in the eSports space reminds me of the competition I felt as I pursued a career in basketball,” Fox added. “My passion was supported and embraced by society and, as owner of Echo Fox, I plan to be an advocate for our athletes in the same way.”
This purchase represents the latest in a string of high profile acquisitions in eSports, particularly in the LCS. Team Dignitas recently announced selling their spot for in excess of $1 million to Follow Esports, now rebranded as Splyce. The Immortals Franchise is owned by a group of investors that includes Peter Levin, the president of Lionsgate Interactive Venture and Games, Steve Kaplan, a co-owner of the basketball franchise Memphis Grizzlies, and the business arm of the band Linkin Park. An investment group including co-owners from the Sacramento Kings franchise also recently purchased an LCS team, now called NRG Esports.