North American esports organisation the Kansas City Pioneers has announced a partnership with AI-driven video game wager and data platform PLLAY Labs.
As part of the deal, the two entities will collaborate on multiple projects to enhance fan monetisation and engagement experiences across different avenues.
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According to the release, the partnership is based on creating and delivering technology, experiences and content that ‘resonates not only with esports fans but with casual amateur gamers’.
Mark Josey, CEO of the Kansas City Pioneers, commented: “As an entertainment and media company, we strive to build and create unique moments for our community. Our partnership with PLLAY is the first of its kind and will be a trendsetter for other sports organisations.
“We know our community loves competition between our professional teams but also competitions between themselves. PLLAY is a perfect fit for our Pioneers community, [so] look forward to our upcoming activations stemming across new gaming spaces.”
Moreover, the two companies have detailed that the fan experiences will range from online and live events to amplified content creation. The deal will also allow both partners to leverage the utility of the PLLAY wagering and token economy to drive NFT activations for gaming fans worldwide.
Shawn Gunn, Co-founder and CEO at PLLAY, added: “At PLLAY, we’ve long believed that giving professional and casual gamers the ability to control and monetise their own gameplay is the entertainment and competition of the future.
“We share a culture of innovation and a strong sense of inclusive community — the KC Pioneers are challenging not only what it means to be an esports athlete but changing the way organisations are connecting with their fans.”
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Esports Insider says: KC Pioneers is set on further connecting esports and technology through offering monetisation opportunities to its fans. Such opportunities are usually possible through NFT activations, which seem to be the latest trend in esports. It’ll be interesting to see what the KC Pioneers and PLLAY will bring to the current NA esports scene.