Aditya ChaudhuriOver the last few years, the esports industry has grown exponentially in terms of revenue and viewership. What sets esports apart is its inclusivity. People from all ages and demographics can play together without the fear of a language barrier, and unlike the other forms of sports where even genetics can play a major factor, in esports, that isn’t the case.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has seen an incredible rise, which has seen celebrities from all fields get involved in the esports world.
In this article, we look at some of the top athletes from the ‘orthodox’ sporting industry who have not only ventured into the esports world but have taken the extra step to own their own esports organisations.
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Sergio Agüero
Organisation: KRÜ Esports
Profession: Footballer (Retired)
The former Argentina and Manchester City striker fulfilled his long-time dream and passion of owning his own esports organisation in October 2020. Agüero founded the KRÜ Esports organisation, which currently competes in VALORANT, Rocket League and LoL.
Current esports titles for KRÜ Esports:
- Rocket League
- VALORANT
- League of Legends
Gareth Bale
Organisation: Ellevens Esports
Profession: Footballer
In February 2020, Wales and Real Madrid footballer Gareth Bale launched his very own esports organisation, Ellevens Esports.
The organisation currently has FIFA and Rocket League rosters, with goals of entering the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite scenes too.
Ellevens Esports currently has rosters in:
- FIFA
- Rocket League
David Beckham
Organisation: Guild Esports
Profession: Footballer (Retired)
UK-based professional esports company Guild Esports was founded in September 2019 and globally launched in June 2020, with former England national football team captain David Beckham as a co-owner of the organisation.
Guild Esports was initially founded as The Lords Esports before being rebranded to Guild Esports once Beckham came on board. The organisation currently has teams in Fortnite, Rocket League, FIFA and VALORANT, with the Fortnite team having won the Fortnite Champion Series European Grand Finals in March 2021 and the Rocket League roster winning the Rocket League Championship Series EU Spring Regional in April 2021.
Guild Esports currently has teams in:
- Counter-Strike 2
- EA FC
- Fortnite
- VALORANT
- Street Fighter
- Sim Racing
David de Gea
Organisation: Rebels Gaming
Profession: Footballer
Spain and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea launched his own esports organisation, Rebels Gaming, in December 2021. Based out of Madrid, Rebels Gaming competes in League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege and VALORANT.
Rebels’ currently rosters are in:
- League of Legends
- VALORANT
- Rainbow Six
Romain Grosjean
Organisation: R8G Esports
Profession: Racing Driver
Swiss-French racing driver Romain Grosjean, who competed in Formula One between 2012 and 2020, launched his own esports organisation in April 2020 called R8G Esports, a sim racing team.
The team competes in various racing simulations such as iRacing.com, rFactor2, Gran Turismo Sport and Assetto Corsa.
The team’s active driver roster:
- Romain Grosjean
- Thibault Cazaubon
- Thomas Rohnaar
- Brendon Leigh
- Kylian Drumont
- Erhan Jajovski
- Marcell Csincsik
- Jiri Toman
- Timea Bencsik
- Piot Stachulec
- Risto Kappet
- Quentin Vialatte
- Julien Soenen
- Elliott Vayron
- Baptiste Beauvois
- Maarten van Loozenoord
- Thibault Cazaubon
Since its launch, the team has also enjoyed significant success, with its major achievements being:
- GT PRO SERIES CHAMPION
- WORLD PRO RACING AMD CHALLENGE CHAMPION
- WORLD PRO RACING GRIIP CHAMPION
With Grosjean having been a former driver for the Formula One team Haas, R8G Esports team also managed the esports operations of the Haas F1 team for the 2021 season.
Jesse Lingard
Organisation: JLINGZ esports
Profession: Footballer
England and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard acquired the UK-based esports organisation Audacity Esports in August 2021 and rebranded it as JLINGZ esports. The team currently competes in Rainbow Six Siege and FIFA.
Jlingz Esports currently has teams in
- HALO
- League of Legends
- Apex Legends
- EA FC
Lando Norris
Organisation: Team Quadrant
Profession: Formula One Driver
McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris followed his passion of gaming and content creation to launch the gaming brand Quadrant in November 2020. The brand entered the Halo Championship Series in December 2021. Apart from being a gaming brand, Quadrant is also a lifestyle brand.
Mesut Özil
Organisation: M10 Esports
Profession: Footballer
German footballer Mesut Özil launched his own esports organisation, M10 Esports, in 2018. Mesut’s passion for gaming and esports led to the inception of the esports organisation, and the German footballer also wanted to provide a platform for the young gamers who wanted to develop and grow their own skills.
M10 currently has teams competing in:
- EA FC
- Fortnite
John Sherman Smith-Schuster
Organisation: Team Diverge
Profession: American Footballer
American footballer Smith-Schuster launched his own esports organisation, Team Diverge, in October 2020.
Smith-Schuster, who is known for his affinity for esports, launched Team Diverge as not only a gaming organisation but a cross between sports, gaming and culture.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver launched Team Diverge with the vision of building an environment that would see professional gamers, content creators, athletes, musicians and celebrities collaborate together to provide a platform for the upcoming talents.
Smith-Schuster is also an honorary member of the international esports organisation, FaZe Clan, having collaborated with them to create content and merchandise.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Organisation: Trench Made
Profession: American Footballer
American footballer Marquez Valdes-Scantling founded the esports organisation Trench Made Gaming in May 2021.
Trench Made kicked off the action with a roster in Call of Duty. The organisation is also looking to compete in other titles and create content, livestream gameplay and launch its exclusive street wear and merchandise down the line.
Lionel Messi
Organisation: KRÜ Esports
Profession: Football player
Messi was announced as a co-owner of his compatriot, Sergio Kun Agüero’s esports organisation, KRÜ Esports in November 2023, making it his first venture into the world of esports.
Current esports titles for KRÜ Esports are:
- Rocket League
- VALORANT
- League of Legends
Daniil Medvedev
Organisation: M80
Profession:Tennis player
Daniil Medvedev joined North American esports organisation M80 as a co-owner in November 2023. Joining the ownership group, Medvedev advises the organisation esports endeavours (partnerships, growing the fan base etc.) and also shares his experience in sports psychology with M80’s different teams.
M80 currently has esports titles in:
- Counter-Strike 2
- VALORANT
- Street Fighter
- Rocket League
- Rainbow Six: Siege
