ESL, et af verdnes største eSporetsfirmaer er blevet købt af den svenske MTG koncern der har købt 74% af aktierne for 78 millioner Euro. ESL skal stadig fungerer selvstændigt, hvor ledelsen og stifterne beholder 26% af aktierne.
Udvidelsen skal ses som et led i MTG's bestræbelser på at gennemføre en global ekspansion.
MTG har tv kanaler i 100 lande, og har som ESL et fladt hieraki grundet en iværksætterorienteret virksomhedskultur hvor man forsøger at skabe et økosystem for esporten.
Ralf Reichert, grundlægger og bestyrleses formand for ESL og Turtle Entertainment udtalte:
"When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today, esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to take esports to the next level. We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG's extensive operational network in over 100 countries will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team could not be more excited about accelerating the development of the entire esports industry together with MTG for years to come."