Bollywood actor and singer Tiger Shroff has been named the brand ambassador for India’s first franchise-based esports league, Esports Premier League.
Financial terms of this new deal were not disclosed.
One of the highest-paid actors in India, Shroff has starred in such hit Hindi films as the Baaghi film series, Munna Michael, Student of the Year 2, War, and many more. Shroff, who is also an honorary fifth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, is particularly popular among India’s youth, a key reason why this new partnership is important to the ESPL, as it attempts to bring esports to a mainstream audience in the country.
With the majority of the 1.4 billion Indian population being youth, the Bollywood sensation also known for his passion for sports and Mixed Martial Arts will connect Esports to the mainstream as the inaugural edition of the league promises to bring the excitement of Esports through its nationwide tournament with lakhs of registrations that will commence from Wednesday. The preliminary rounds will engage in a highly competitive contest as eight teams will be chosen in the third round who will go on to contest in the grand finale.
ESPL, whose core structure is franchised city-based teams, officially kicks off on Wednesday, with smartphone maker Infinix serving as the presenting sponsor. Season 1 competitions will feature Garena’s Free Fire and will be held online over the next two-and-a-half months, with an overall prize pool worth Rs. 25 lakhs ($34K USD) and the top 88 teams. The first-place winner will earn Rs. 12 lakhs ($16.3K), second place takes home Rs. 6 lakhs ($8.1K), and third place will win Rs. 3 lakhs ($4K).
Matches will be streamed on linear TV through the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar, and on YouTube and Facebook channels of India Today and Aaj Tak and its websites.
