PITTSBURGH, PA – AUG. 27, 2019 – In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the Esports MX LATAM Fund, a group of Mexico-based investors and family offices in media, entertainment, finance, and other industries, have invested into the Pittsburgh Knights and partnered to jointly set up an affiliate esports team organization in Mexico in the framework of the Knights’ organizational and operational model.
The Knights have been on an upward trajectory since partnering with six-time Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in 2018. This past July, they announced a strategic partnership with multi-platinum, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa. With the investment and operating partnership from the Esports MX LATAM Fund and its investors, the Knights will continue to focus on building a globally recognized gaming powerhouse and become initiators in Latin American esports.
“We are pleased to work with the Pittsburgh Knights as their partners, alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have one of the top recognized American football brands in Mexico, and Wiz Khalifa, a globally recognized creative artist,” says Mark Alazaraki, CEO of Alazraki Networks, one of the key investors and general partners of the fund. “The Knights have proven that they can grow and scale a professional esports organization working with established industry partners and a professional sports organization with much success that will be attractive to our investors who are exploring opportunities to invest in the Mexican esports scene.”
The Pittsburgh Knights are a global esports organization headquartered in the Steel City and are one of the fastest-growing teams in the space. Esports (i.e. competitive video gaming) has become massively popular over the past few years with over 450 million fans worldwide; the industry is expected to generate $1.1 billion dollars this year alone.
“There is a strong strategic alignment with the Esports MX LATAM Fund’s vision and our investment group’s plans,” says Knight’s President James O’Connor. “Partnering with Han and his investment partners in Mexico is another great step for the Knights as we grow our global footprint. We see the same dedication, loyalty, and zeal for sports there that we do in Pittsburgh. Mexico has a lot to offer in terms of talent and logistics that make this venture an ideal opportunity to build something special for both Mexican and global esports.”
About Esports MX LATAM Fund
The Esports MX LATAM Fund consists of Mexico-based investors and family offices in media, entertainment, finance, and other industries. The fund’s purpose is to invest and work with successful international esports organizations and companies to create and expand esports opportunities in Mexico and Spanish speaking Latin American markets through co-investments, partnerships, and joint ventures. The general partners of the fund include Han Park, former President of ESL America with 20 years experience in gaming and esports; Richard Jun, Managing Partner of Bam Ventures; Mark Alazaraki, CEO of Alazaraki Networks; Allan Kaye Trueba and Luis Alberto Aziz, General Partners of Aziz & Kaye; Sergio del Valle, Managing Partner of Canvas Partners; Luis Ahumada and Kevin Park, Founding Partners of Docent Capital.
