KUALA LUMPUR (NOVEMBER 18, 2019) – Esports Pro League (ESPL) — a new global amateur esports tournament platform co-founded by former eSports.com CEO Michael Broda, iCandy Interactive Limited (ASX:ICI), and Malaysian behavioral data and technology innovation firm Sedania Innovator Berhad — has announced an exciting partnership with eGG Network (“eGG”), Southeast Asia’s largest esports television channel, to broadcast ESPL’s upcoming esports tournament slated for early 2020.
The eGG Network is owned by Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (“Astro”) and broadcasts to eight countries in Southeast Asia and Australia, which hold a potential viewership reach of 100 million. eGG delivers high-quality esports entertainment to more than two million active viewers, broadcasting over 2,000 hours of live esports content a year in addition to hosting over fifty world-class regional events in its supported territories.
“The popularity of esports continues to grow at an accelerated rate because it’s not an elite sport that has the potential to discriminate. It’s global and for everyone, connecting all of the continents,” said ESPL CEO Michael Broda. “With our valued partners, eGG and Astro, we have extensive geographical coverage, enabling us to further grow our international esports ecosystem in this exciting phase of the esports industry.”
“The eGG Network is the leading esports platform in SEA with capabilities in content production and broadcasting,” said Astro’s Head of Sports, Lee Choong Khay. “Our channel is available in eight countries and we have strong engagement with gamers on our digital platform. With ESPL, more fans can catch the action and more gaming talents can be discovered.”
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Sedania Founder and Group Managing Director Datuk Azrin Mohd Noor (“Datuk Azrin”), ESPL Co-founder and president Lau Kin Wai, Axis Esports Sdn Bhd Founder Dato’ Ahmad Zaharul together with directors Syed Fakrurrozi Syed Agil and Muhamad Azli Said, eGG Network Edward Ng, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Chief Executive Officer Surina Shukri and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.
Sedania founder and Group Managing Director Datuk Azrin commented, “The eGG Network’s strengths not only lie in the fact that it has the biggest esports channel in the Southeast Asian region but the channel’s ability to tell stories that are compelling and inspirational as well as evoke interest for the sport. eGG crafts various documentaries related to the sport and the individual games, which truly makes them stand out.”
Beginning its global roll-out in early 2020 across 16 countries covering Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Singapore-based ESPL is a new esports network that will focus on community and digital interactivity. By adopting a scalable licensing partnership model, ESPL can work with experienced tournament organizers in every country ESPL plans to enter, offering an integrated and open ecosystem for tournaments, media, brands, publishers, teams, and players. ESPL will also work alongside game-publishers who share the vision of promoting healthy and competitive gaming events across markets worldwide.
The first ESPL season is planned to run from February to December 2020, with official details about the tournament rules and locations to be announced soon.
ESPL was co-founded by ASX-listed iCandy Interactive Limited (ASX:ICI), Michael Broda, and Malaysia-listed Sedania Innovator Berhad. Michael Broda is the former CEO of eSports.com Group AG, while Sedania Innovator Berhad is a software and technology solutions company publicly traded on Malaysia’s sole stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia. ESPL has also enlisted several leading esports executives to accelerate its global roll-out, with additional details to follow in future announcements.
Editor’s note: YouTube video added into press release content.
