Mentioned in this article
- The Pittsburgh Knights announced the addition of NHL player Evgeni Malkin as an investor. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
- The company is looking to exemplify its business model of taking the best practices from traditional sports and translating them into esports through this partnership.
- The esports organization is now engaged in three partnerships with Pittsburgh-associated allies: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wiz Khalifa, and Evgeni Malkin.
The esports organization Pittsburgh Knights announced that professional hockey player Evgeni Malkin has invested in the company. With this partnership, the company aims to exemplify its business model of taking the best practices from traditional sports and translating them into esports. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Malkin, a center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins, first came to Pittsburgh in 2004 when he was the second overall draft pick selected by the Penguins. Since then, he has remained one of the most prominent hockey players in the NHL and has acted as an alternate captain for the Penguins since his sophomore season. Malkin has led the Penguins to three of their five Stanley Cup Championships. An avid gamer himself, he enjoys playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive when he’s not on the ice.
“Our goal at the Knights is not only to be a great esports team but to build something innovative and unifying for our city,” said Knights President James O’Connor in a release. “We know that, as a Pittsburgh organization, we have an amazing sports and entertainment legacy to live up to. We’re really excited for the team we’ve put together behind the scenes, first with the Steelers and Wiz Khalifa, and now with Malkin. His work with the Pittsburgh Penguins has shown the whole world what a smart and dedicated athlete he is, and we’re thrilled to have his support”.
Within the last twelve months, the Pittsburgh Knights organization partnered with major players in both Pittsburgh and the sports and entertainment industry. In December 2018, it partnered with six-time Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers; and this past summer announced Pittsburgh native and musician Wiz Khalifa as a strategic partner. Additionally, the Knights raised an investment from Esports MX LATAM Fund, a group of Mexico-based investors and family offices. The financial details of these investments were not disclosed.
