Mentioned in this article
- Zieben Group president and real estate investor Lee Zieben is reportedly purchasing esports organization and the exaugural Call of Duty World League champion eUnited.
- Zieben is in the process of raising $50M USD to fund an esports-focused holding company.
- Zieben is reportedly purchasing the Houston Outlaws Overwatch League franchise from Immortals Gaming Club for a deal approximately valued at $40M.
After reports of real estate investor and President of the Zieben Group, Lee Zieben, buying the Overwatch League franchise Houston Outlaws surfaced at the end of July, the Houston Business Journal (HBJ) recently reported that Zieben may also be in the process of acquiring Los Angeles-based esports organization eUnited parent company eUnited eSports Inc. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
In August, eUnited won the 2019 Call of Duty World League, taking home a prize of $800K. eUnited fields teams in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty, PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS, Super Smash Bros., and Smite. Additionally, Zieben has submitted a bid to purchase a slot in Blizzard Entertainment’s upcoming Call of Duty League. So far, Blizzard has announced the sale of nine franchise slots with no disclosed Houston-based franchise yet.
According to HBJ, Zieben is in the process of raising $50M to fund an esports-focused holding company. The holding company has been set up as a qualified opportunity zone business to attract investors with potential tax benefits. Boutique investment bank and corporate advisory firm Accelerate Sports is working with Zieben on this project.
HBJ reports that Zieben has received interest from investors at the national level, but is looking to bring on Houston-area investors, as well. He’s seeking minimum investments of $2 million for the esports holding company. Zieben’s ultimate goal is to build a new sports and entertainment real estate development in the Houston area.
The sale of the Houston Outlaws franchise is mandatory for its current owner Immortals Gaming Club, as it owns two of the Overwatch League’s franchises after its acquisition of Texas-based Infinite Esports & Entertainment, the Houston Outlaws and the Los Angeles Valiant. Zieben is reportedly purchasing the franchise from Immortals Gaming Club for a deal approximately valued at $40M.
