Former NBA Champion Rick Fox Buys League of Legends Team Gravity, Formally Enters ESports
Former Los Angeles Lakers Forward and three-time NBA champion Rick Fox has formally entered eSports after buying North American League of Legends LCS team Team Gravity for a reported $1 million. His new team will be called Echo Fox.
The player turned actor and entrepreneur confirmed reports that he has bought Team Gravity on his twitter page earlier today, solidifying his presence in eSports now as a team owner.
Thank you – looking forward to the upcoming season https://t.co/SWW64iMtX8
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) December 19, 2015
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Rick Fox’s love for League of Legends and eSports is well-documented. The ex-NBA player frequently tweets his support for eSports events, particularly for the NA LCS scene. He is a partner at Twin Galaxies, the official video game world-record and player-ranking authority that was founded in 1981. Fox also donated his three NBA championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers to the fundraiser #Right2Game, which supports professional gaming.
Gordon Hayward joins the crew https://t.co/yxvKFa9IbV — NBA TV (@NBATV) November 8, 2015
In a press release, Fox said that the decision to buy into the NA LCS is equal parts business and personal.
“The opportunity to parlay my experience in sports, entertainment and gaming into a leadership role with Echo Fox is exciting and humbling. This decision is equal parts business and personal for me,” Fox said in a press release.
“As a professional athlete, businessman and proud member of the gaming community, I see the way that the eSports world is growing and I know we are on the verge of something massive…I see the way that the eSports world is growing and I know we are on the verge of something massive.”
EffelTower @clgaming wish you were here @CLG_HotshotGG pic.twitter.com/niqpYNnbFy
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) October 10, 2015
As a team owner, Fox promises to bring the same level of dedication, focus and work ethic that it takes to succeed in the NBA into eSports.
“I see the way that the eSports world is growing and I know we are on the verge of something massive,” Fox said. “The desire, focus, dedication and work ethic that I have seen from athletes in the eSports space reminds me of the competition I felt as I pursued a career in basketball. My passion was supported and embraced by society and, as owner of Echo Fox, I plan to be an advocate for our athletes in the same way.”
Fox’s entry into eSports is another in a string of mainstream investments by figures in traditional sports into eSports. In November, Sacramento Kings co-owners bought a NA LCS spot. Their team, NRG eSports, is packed with South Korean talent.
Gravity finished fourth in the NA LCS Summer Split. They were eliminated in the regional qualifiers for the 2015 Worlds Championship by Cloud 9. Echo Fox has yet to release a roster list for the upcoming 2016 Spring Split.
Photos from: Rick Fox's Facebook page
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