LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Esports and gaming company aXiomatic today announced that Jeff Vinik, owner and chairman of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, minority owner of Fenway Sports Group (parent of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club and New England Sports Network) and owner of the Tampa Bay Storm (Arena Football League team), has joined the group as an investor, co-executive chairman and voting manager. Vinik will serve alongside co-chairmen Peter Guber and Ted Leonsis, leading the group as it builds a broad esports enterprise that includes stalwart esports franchise Team Liquid. Jac Sperling — former CEO and co-General Partner of Minnesota Sports and Entertainment (NHL’s Wild), Founder of Grit Rock Ventures, and former NBA Governor of the New Orleans Pelicans — is joining the investment group with Vinik.
Vinik also currently serves on the NHL Board of Governors and the League’s Executive Committee. Prior to his sports endeavors, Vinik was active in investment management beginning at Fidelity Investments, where he ran the Fidelity Magellan Fund, the world’s largest mutual fund, before establishing his own firm, Vinik Asset Management, in 1996. He is currently the Chairman of American Investment Holdings (AIH), a multipurpose investment enterprise he founded in 2013. Vinik and Cascade Investment are partners in a $3 billion, 9 million square foot mixed-use development project to revitalize downtown Tampa in the area surrounding Amalie Arena, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I’ve watched the growth of the esports industry for a number of years and the opportunity to become involved with the impressive group already assembled at aXiomatic is the ideal way for me to make an impact,” said Vinik. “In addition to developing our strategic investment in Team Liquid, working with Steve and Victor to continue to grow the brand and helping the success of the team, I look forward to working with Peter, Ted and Bruce in evolving the industry in a meaningful, authentic way.”
“Jeff has a brilliant track record in identifying and maximizing investment opportunities as well as building professional sports teams,” said Bruce Stein, CEO of aXiomatic. “Jeff also has a respected friendship with Peter and Ted so from a fit standpoint we couldn’t imagine a better partner.”
About aXiomatic
aXiomatic is an esports and gaming investment group co-chaired by three renowned professional sports team owners, media, technology and investment entrepreneurs — Peter Guber, Ted Leonsis and Jeff Vinik.
aXiomatic was founded in September 2016 with the goal of bringing the resources and resourcefulness of its ownership group to the professionalization of esports. It yields an impressive array of 50+ investors, including Magic Johnson, Steve Case and Tony Robbins. Each investor brings unique insight and experience in their respective fields, giving the group unparalleled resources, plus a network of venues, technologies, and media content and distribution partners.
In September 2016, aXiomatic acquired controlling interest in one of the world’s premier esports team franchises, Team Liquid.
About Team Liquid
Team Liquid is one of the world’s most successful premier esports team franchises. Team Liquid has more than 50 players competing on 11 different teams and competes at the highest level in global tournaments, including: “League of Legends,” “CS:GO,” “Dota 2,” “Hearthstone,” “StarCraft 2,” “Overwatch,” “Halo,” “Street Fighter” and ”SSBM.” For more information: https://goo.gl/dSYvHT.