Riot Games (League of Legends) may be teaming up with the MLB

Games
1

This would be a pretty big deal.

[quote]
The world of eSports continues to attract major media companies and real sports businesses. This time the biggest eSports player in the market, League of Legends operator Riot Games, is closing in on a two-year deal to sell streaming rights to Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM). The deal, which could be worth $200 million, was first reported by Sports Business Daily. If the deal goes through, League of Legends matches would shift their broadcasts from Twitch, YouTube and Riot’s website to an app developed by MLBAM’s BAMTech.[/quote]

2

It’s a done deal.

Seven years. $300 million.

http://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/riot-games-joins-forces-bamtech

http://www.wsj.com/articles/league-of-legends-e-sports-contests-lure-newest-fan-major-league-baseball-1481889603

3

The $300 million isn’t all just the upfront payment. Riot could get more if its successful enough.

The question is how do they monetize it. Showing ads between matches? Some sort of “enhanced” experience with extra stats? Current watchers just use Twitch or YouTube for free now so they have work cut out to get them to get watchers to switch over.

4

I’ve used MLBTV for a couple years, it’s a rock solid way to watch baseball, they’ve got the technology down cold, so I’d guess it would be a great way to watch pretty much anything.