BOSTON – Furthering its commitment to fostering success for its institutions’ Esports programs, the America East Conference announced today a partnership with CSL Esports, a Playfly Sports company. As part of the new agreement, CSL Esports will help establish competitive esports infrastructures for America East, which will participate within NACE Starleague, the largest collegiate esports ecosystem in North America with more than 14,500 students from 600 colleges and universities.
“Esports has become an integral program on many of our campuses and this partnership will help support our school’s programs, provide new competition opportunities and foster growth in this expansive industry,” said Amy Huchthausen, America East Commissioner.
“CSL Esports is incredibly proud to be partnering with America East,” said Rob Johnson, CEO, CSL Esports. “It is our mission at CSL Esports to create more sustainable esports programs at colleges and universities everywhere. Through this partnership, we will now be delivering formalized esports competition to thousands of new students, giving them an opportunity to play and meaningfully compete at the same level as their other fellow student-athletes.”
CSL Esports, the national brand of collegiate sports in North America, helps its partners develop the critical components to formalize esports competition, including the forming of teams, leagues and schedules, as well as the creation of in-person and virtual events and drive revenue generating opportunities through sponsorship sales and advertising. CSL Esports will also assist all member institutions with the growth & expansion of their respective esports programs and in the areas of esports curriculum, career pathways and community engagement.
NACE Starleague operations will begin in fall 2021 and host multiple tiers of skill levels to be inclusive of all collegiate programs from student-run club to school-sanctioned varsity teams with registration opening in early August for varsity. NACE will help oversee match rules in compliance with game publishers, student-athlete verification, recruitment best practices, and varsity team development.
CSL Esports is supported by sponsorship and media through Playfly Sports, the emerging leader in college multimedia rights and sports advertising sales. As Playfly Sports continues its growth, CSL Esports stands as one of Playfly’s key focuses and divisions. With a reimagined look at the sports industry, Playfly continues to invest in esports as one of the next frontiers within the sports ecosystem in the hopes of bringing together its touch points across all levels of sport fandom and elevate the business of esports.
America East, which was assisted by Leona Marketing Group throughout the agreement process, began its venture into Esports in the spring 2020 and has hosted several virtual competitions between its schools and other conferences.
About America East
The America East is a premier NCAA Division I athletic conference whose mission centers around its commitment to building the complete student-athlete through its #3Pillars: Academic Achievement, Athletic Excellence and Leadership, On and Off the Field. The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field. One of the most comprehensive Division I conferences in the country and progressive in its approach to its more than 3,400 student-athletes, America East recognizes champions in each of its 18 sponsored sports and consists of 10 member institutions located in the northeast region. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com or follow the America East Conference on Twitter @AmericaEast.
About CSL Esports
CSL Esports provides turnkey solutions for schools and students to compete and learn valuable skills in the rapidly expanding esports industry. Since 2009 CSL Esports has been the operator of North America’s largest collegiate esports business and has provided over $1 million in direct scholarships. CSL Esports works with scholastic partners at all levels including colleges & universities, state and local high school districts, athletic and activities associations, departments of education, and parks & recreation in this new endeavor. www.cslesports.com
About Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports is the full-service, leading sports marketing and media company that enables brands to engage with sports fans on a local, regional, and national level through scaled linear, digital, and experiential assets. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions into 90-million households via more than 7,800 live U.S. broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games; and influences sports fans of all ages through the management of high school and college multimedia rights, uniform branding, and high-profile sports sponsorship platforms. The company introduces high school and college students to career development opportunities in esports through CSL Esports, operators of North America's largest college esports league. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Powered by Partnership. Visit Playfly Sports online at playfly.com and follow Playfly Sports on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook: @PlayflySports.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -