Andbox, the ownership group behind New York Excelsior and New York Subliners, has inked a partnership with gaming venue operator Belong.
The exclusive deal will see Belong collaborate with Andbox to erect gaming centres in multiple locations throughout New York City. This will include a co-branded flagship location which will provide both organizations and its fans with “a best-in-class local esports ecosystem.”
RELATED: Vindex reportedly set to acquire GAME’s Belong
The gaming centres will offer its attendees exclusive tournaments, leagues, team appearances, and exclusive consumer product retail programs. The partnership will utilise esports solution provider Esports Engine to design and operate leagues and tournaments throughout the Belong network.
Farzam Kamel, President and Co-founder of Andbox, commented in a release: “New York’s esports community has been underserved for a long time, and these new gaming centers we’ll be launching in partnership with Vindex will provide a high quality, best in class experience that esports fans in the New York metro area deserve. One of Andbox’s goals has always been to provide the local community here with physical spaces specifically designed for and dedicated to gaming, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of making that a reality.”
Belong has additionally reached a partnership agreement with Dallas-based organisation Envy Gaming in a similar arrangement. The deal will prop up “multiple” gaming venues across key North Texas cities with the intent of making social and competitive gaming more accessible.
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At the helm of this operation will be esports infrastructure company Vindex, which announced the acquisition of Belong earlier today. Vindex will operate Belong from its New York headquarters, with the rolling out of gaming centres across the country starting “immediately.” Over the next five years, Vindex intends to invest $300M (GBP231.2M) to open more than 500 Belong locations across the United States, and another 1,000 locations globally through licensed operating partners.
Mike Sespo, CEO of Vindex, commented on the acquisition in a release: “The acquisition of Belong and Martyn’s leadership will allow us to bring the professional esports experience to casual and amateur players in their hometowns across the country and around the world, connecting more players everywhere at a time when communities truly need to be closer together.”
Esports Insider says: Vindex has topped quite a few headlines today with its acquisition of Belong and plans to build gaming centres around the world. The company has previously established relationships with Andbox and Envy which should help make this development a grand success.