Innovations and Disruptions: Deutsche Telekom enters the eSports arena

Deutsche Telekom is preparing a commitment to eSports. In the framework of a partnership, the company will support SK Gaming, an international eSports organization, with know-how in the areas of telecommunications and technology.

In addition, Deutsche Telekom will sponsor a new team that SK Gaming has founded, and thereby support its partner's return into League of Legends competition. The highly competitive, team-based strategy game gets a huge fan base and is one of the most successful eSports games in the world.

"The focus of our partnership is on supporting the new League of Legends team, and we're starting off by wishing the team good fortune and great success in the upcoming competitions," stated Hiro Kishi, Head of Sports Sponsoring at Telekom Deutschland. "In addition to carrying out communicative efforts focused on the team, we plan to use eSports as a vehicle for highlighting our network quality – and the added value it offers for demanding applications such as gaming – and our technological know-how."

The SK League of Legends team that Deutsche Telekom is sponsoring will enter the Riot Games Premier Tour on June 17, 2018. The team comprises both proven veterans and rising new stars. The roster includes Daniel "Scarface" Aitbelkacem, Gerrit "Phrenic" Stukemeier, Hicham "SozPurefect" Tazrhini, Tim "Keduii" Willers and Mads "Doss" Schwartz. Scarface, SozPurefect and Doss all played in Spain's SuperLiga, most notably with the successful KIYF eSports Club. Keduii and Phrenic bring to the team the valuable experience they have gained playing in the ESL Meisterschaft German eSports league.

Deutsche Telekom has extensive experience with professional sports and live events of which we will benefit. The company will support us as we participate in League of Legends competition and support SK Gaming in the further expansion and upgrading of its technological infrastructure. We look exiting about the partnership," stated Alexander T. Müller, Managing Director of SK Gaming.

In Premier Tour competition, teams compete online, in decentralized formats, followed by Live Events in Hamburg (July 8) und Berlin (July 29). The Premier Tour opens up the qualification for the “League of Legends European Masters”.