BC Business
The company is better situated than many others during these times.
While live sports have taken a hit or two during the COVID-19 pandemic, its esports brethren appear to be thriving. Recently, Vancouver-based Alpha North Esports & Entertainment announced two separate partnerships with some well-known B.C. names.
This morning, the company revealed an alliance with the Vancouver Whitecaps, becoming the soccer club’s official online esports tournament platform.
The two organizations will host online and live tournaments to scout talent for eMLS, searching for “the ONe”.
At the end of the season, a final tournament will take place, with the winner challenging Whitecaps FC eMLS athlete Exraa for the chance to become the official #eVWFC player.
“The esports sector continues to grow, and we’re thrilled to be working with an industry-leading organization such as Alpha North,” Whitecaps CEO Mark Pannes said in a statement. “During this difficult period, fans continue to embrace, watch and participate in gaming and esports, and we love keeping them in the Whitecaps squad as they do that.”
Last week, Alpha announced a deal with Vancouver public relations firm Spotlight West Communications and former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack to sponsor the Eddie Lack and Friends Frontline Cup.
In the tournament, celebrities and other individuals will play Fortnite on Alpha’s online esports tournament platform, GamerzArena, with the action live-streaming on social media network Twitch. All proceeds from the competition will go to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Richmond-based nonprofit Chimo Community Services.
Although the tournament has been postponed for now, Alpha has pledged to reschedule soon and will keep collecting donations for both charities.
“With Alpha being a Vancouver-based company, it is very important for us to give back to the local community as much as we can, especially during these challenging times,” Alpha CEO Emil Bodenstein said in a release.