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DAZN’S BUNDESLIGA DEAL
MEN MAKE 44X MORE FROM ESPORTS THAN WOMEN As the popularity of esports has ballooned in recent years, so has attention to the politics behind the industry – and unfortunately it seems equal pay has been called into question once again. A recent survey conducted by compare.bet looked at the ten highest earning male and female esports players to uncover the disparity in prize money between them. The top results uncovered a vast pay gap between male and female players. Johan Sundstein came through as the highest earning male player, having accumulated £5,512,339 throughout his career. This in turn means he has made 19 times more from prize money than the top-earning female sports player, Sasha Hostyn – whose £288,912 pales in comparison. The survey’s key findings comprised: • On average, male esports players are taking 44 times more in prize money from tournaments than female esports players • The highest-earning male esport player has made 19 times more than the highest-earning female player • Jesse Vainikka has generated £5,162,010 from esports tournaments, compared to Li Xiao Meng (£180,562) in the same position in the female rankings • The biggest contrast is between players in eighth position. Ivan Ivanov has taken £3,619,721 from esports, 83 times more than Marjorie Bartell (£43,793). There is a glaring issue of equal pay among players. As esports’ popularity grows, will this disparity improve or worsen?
DAZN has become the new home for German football, after being given extensive rights both live and exclusive to the Bundesliga for four seasons. Beginning in 2021 and finishing in 2025, DAZN will show 106 Friday and Sunday matches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as exclusive broadcaster of games two out of three days per week. “This is a watershed moment in the growth and maturity of sport streaming services and the logical next step as we continue to invest in our most mature market and the future of sport,“ said Simon Denyer, DAZN Group CEO. “The partnership with the DFL is transformational, and underlines our long-term commitment to supporting our partners while bringing the best possible sport to fans in an affordable, accessible and flexible way.“
The agreement is the largest package of major domestic football rights ever awarded to a streaming service in Europe. Highlights of every live Bundesliga game will also be available on the platform. Key rights include Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League, La Liga, Serie A, Serie B, Ligue 1, Ligue 2, EFL Championship, FA Cup, Coppa Italia, Copa Libertadores, MLS and more.
MICROSOFT’S MIXER CLOSES
Microsoft has announced the closure of its Mixer live gaming platform. Major gamers signed by Mixer, including Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins and Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek have been released from their contracts. Mixer will now redirect its users over to Facebook Gaming. As part of this deal, Microsoft will work to bring its xCloud games-streaming service directly to Facebook. “This seems quite ruthless, but Microsoft’s strategy to reach more
gamers is underpinned by its cloud business, not Mixer. Clearly Facebook has significant reach globally, to expose users to xCloud,” explained Piers Harding-Rolls from the consultancy Ampere Analysis. All game-streamers in Mixer’s partner programme will be granted partner status on Facebook Gaming if they wish to move to the platform. Since its launch in 2017, Mixer has been in a constant battle to attract users from game-streaming site Twitch.
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