10 Star Athletes Investing in Esports.

The world of esports continues to attract prominent figures from the sports realm, including active and retired athletes who are seizing the opportunity to become owners or investors in esports organizations. These athletes, hailing from renowned football clubs and boasting impressive careers, have recognized the immense potential and global reach of esports.

In this post, I highlight a selection of notable athletes who have made their mark as owners or investors in esports organizations, revolutionizing the intersection of sports and gaming.

So without further ado, here is the list of notable athletes - active and retired - that are owners or investors of esports organisations worldwide.

1. Recently retired former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué made an immediate esports impact in 2021 when he teamed up with famed Spanish streamer Ibai to launch KOI.

2. Sergio Agüero founded KRÜ Esports in 2020 after the former Manchester City footballer began gaining popularity on streaming platform Twitch during the pandemic lockdown.

3. Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk was unveiled as a shareholder of British esports organisation Tundra Esports in August 2022. In the initial release, it was noted that Van Dijk aimed to support and develop Tundra’s business goals.

4. Whilst at Spanish goliaths Real Madrid, Casemiro stepped into the esports scene through the creation of his own organisation, Case Esports.

5. At the end of 2021, David De Gea launched Spanish esports organisation Rebels Gaming with the Man United goalkeeper stating that it was “another dream come true”.

6. One of the more surprising inclusions is Dutch football legend and Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit, who founded FIFA esports academy Team Gullit in 2018.

7. In 2020 Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois became an investor in TEAM DUX GAMING, a Spanish esports organisation that predominantly competes in NBA 2K and FIFA.

8. In 2021, former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard acquired UK-based esports organisation Audacity Esports, rebranding it JLingz Bbb Esports as a result.

9. Chelsea defender César Azpilicueta formed Spanish esports organisation Falcons Esport in 2020 and the team has since gone on to hold competitive rosters in FIFA, VALORANT and League of Legends.

10. Concluding the list is none other than David Beckham ​that ​launched Guild Esports in June of 2020, and the company has already gone public on the London Stock Exchange and raised $52.3 million.

The involvement of notable athletes as owners and investors in esports organizations reflects the growing recognition of esports as a lucrative and influential industry. These athletes, with their wealth of experience and fan following, bring a unique perspective and contribute to the development and success of esports ventures.