- The Pro Football Retired Players Association will host an esports tournament in June.
- The PFRPA supports former NFL players in part by developing and managing new revenue streams.
- The event will be held at Mavs Gaming Center in Dallas, home of the NBA 2K League’s Mavs Gaming.
The Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA), which supports former NFL players in various ways, will host an esports tournament this June.
The Gridiron Gaming tournament will be held at the Mavs Gaming 
Center in Dallas on June 22, and the “family-friendly event” will let fans compete against unspecified retired NFL players, according to a release. Madden NFL 19 , Fortnite , and Apex Legends will be featured at the event, a PFRPA spokesperson told The Esports Observer.
Founded in 2013 to help settle a lawsuit over the NFL’s use of media of retired players, the PFRPA was established to look out for the interests of former players. The Association includes a Greater Good Fund that develops health and educational programs for former players, along with a Football Greats Alliance that creates and manages new revenue streams to help support past pros.
Related Article: How Madden Championship Series Helps NFL Sponsors Reach a New Audience
“Since inception, PFRPA has been committed to the betterment of retired NFL players, whether through our offered insurance plans or through the commercial marketing opportunities generated by our Football Greats Alliance,” said Jack Youngblood, PFRPA board member and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, in a release. “As we grow as an organization, it’s important for us to not only be a resource for retired NFL players, but also a platform to help develop their brand equity. We see esports as one way to accomplish that for our membership.”
The Mavs Gaming Center is the home of Mavs Gaming, the NBA 2K League team of the Dallas Mavericks. It includes a 4,800-square foot gaming arena with a 5v5 setup for competing teams. The 2019 NBA 2K League season begins today and runs until the finals on August 3.
