NISSAN JOINS THE ESPORTS REVOLUTION

The most popular sports tend to have a storied history and broad player and fan bases, whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, or any other mainstream activity. Breaking into this club of top-tier sports is a tremendous challenge, but the trajectory of esports popularity suggests it hasn’t just joined this prestigious club. It could take over.

According to Newzoo's 2019 Global Esports Market Report, the global esports audience is expected to grow to 453.8 million people around the world this year. In 2018, the number of fans tuning in to watch esports on YouTube and Twitch surpassed the combined viewership of media behemoths HBO, Netflix and ESPN. 

Nissan is supporting  the top-level performance of modern esports organizations and players by partnering with two of the biggest teams in the world – FaZe Clan and OpTic Gaming. This will see team members create exciting content featuring Nissan’s latest fleet of vehicles and help promote the brand’s intelligent mobility.  The Nissan logo will also be proudly emblazoned on their competition jerseys as they chase the top titles in esports.

Esports joins our growing roster of athletics partnerships, as Nissan continues to recognize the value of sport and the passion of its supporters. This includes a 12-year (and counting) partnership with the Heisman Trust, as well as sponsorship of college athletics across the US and the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, Nissan Stadium.

Quite simply, FaZe Clan has become the most subscribed esports team in the world, an achievement made all the more remarkable given the organization was only founded in 2010. Based out of the glamourous Hollywood Hills, it has become globally renowned for its roster of top-class YouTube vloggers, live streamers and award-winning pro-players. FaZe Clan competes for prestigious titles such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, FIFA, Fortnite Battle Royale, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.

The organization is also well known for its lifestyle brand, built through merchandise and celebrity players showcasing their skills globally on YouTube and Twitch.

OpTic Gaming, another esports giant based in the US, challenges for top honors in some of the most highly regarded esports titles, including Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Gears of War, League of Legends, and Overwatch. The Texas-based organization, founded in 2006, is widely recognized for its passionate fan base, known as the GreenWall, and ongoing competitive success having secured 55 major titles since 2010.

Both teams have generated a unique audience since their respective foundations, allowing Nissan to connect (engage) with a broad and passionate esports fanbase. Nissan, OpTic Gaming, and FaZe Clan share a passion for technological innovation and high standards, and this partnership will drive the pursuit of even greater results into the future.