Basketball icon Kevin Durant and his business partner and agent Rich Kleiman have invested in New York esports organization, Andbox through their investment arm, Thirty-Five Ventures. The two will join the organization as investors and creative partners.
In the past, the Andbox organization has also raised funds from David Levy (former President of Turner), Michael B. Jordan, Jeff Raider (Co-founder and CEO of Harry’s), Adam Leibsohn (Co-founder and COO of GIPHY), Neil Blumenthal (Co-founder and CEO of Warby Parker), and Roham Gharegozlou (Founder and CEO of Dapper Labs).
Andbox currently owns the Call of Duty League through the New York Subliners, the Overwatch League via New York Excelsior (NYXL) and a VALORANT team.
Kevin Durant said in a tweet: “Proud to announce our newest investment in [Andbox and the New York Subliners] to continue the growth of esports in New York and beyond.”
Rich Kleiman said, “About two years ago, Kevin told me that 2K is as important to him as anything after playing in the NBA. So, the idea that Kevin is such a Call of Duty fanatic, 2K fanatic and Andbox was on brand with that for him. And then for me, that our company based in New York, mostly all New Yorkers, can help bring this New York gaming company that mirrors us in a lot of ways, it was a no-brainer.”
Farzam Kamel, Co-founder, and President, Andbox, said, “There is no bigger stage in the world to compete on than here in New York, and that’s what drives superstars like Kevin Durant here and thankfully to us, just as it did with Clayster, a back-to-back Call of Duty champion who joined us this offseason. The New York Tri-State area is the country’s largest market and a global hub for practically everything from sports and media to youth culture and fashion, yet it’s been long overlooked in the gaming industry. We’re changing that with Andbox and promise to keep delivering for New York’s fans and elevate New York esports on the world stage.”
Source: Forbes
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