Leaders 2019: "We entered eSports to engage with a wider and younger audience" (K. Virani, West Ham)

"As a sports organisation, one of the questions is how do we grow our fanship around the world. We look at opportunities to differentiate and engage and eSports is hugely important. We entered eSports in order to create a different narrative and engage with a wider and younger audience," said Karim Virani, digital and commercial director at West Ham United FC, during the 2019 edition of the Leaders Week conference cycle held at Twickenham Stadium in London (ENG), on 09/10/2019.

The Premier League club concluded a two-year agreement with the eSports agency Bundled on 11/10/2019. "As part of the agreement, West Ham are also pleased to welcome two new eSports players - Yago and Jas - (represented by Bundled) who will join Jamie 'Jamboo' Rigden in the Claret and Blue ranks," said West Ham United on 11/10/2019.

"When Manchester City FC (Premier League) created their academy, they thought of it as a whole Academy, the ultimate facility. They coupled that with education on site and that is probably a help for eSports since the image of a kid being in front of his screen all day long may…