eSports
Leaders Group, a new operating company which will bring Advance’s B2B sports, esports and gaming businesses under one umbrella
Advance Announces Formation of Leaders Group, a Global B2B Sports, Esports and Gaming Intelligence Platform and Appoints Warren S. Thune as CEO
Advance and its subsidiary, American City Business Journals, today announce the formation of Leaders Group, a new operating company which will bring Advance’s B2B sports, esports and gaming businesses under one umbrella, and the appointment of Warren S. Thune as Leaders Group CEO.
Leaders Group will build on the strong foundation that Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily have built over the last 20+ years as the authoritative voice in the business of sports. The group will also include Leaders, The Esports Observer and Newzoo. These trusted brands will continue to be led by their talented management teams, but will now work collaboratively to enhance and accelerate product development, provide superior access to their collective global data assets, and build and capitalize on an increasingly connected global professional network to better serve professionals in the sports and entertainment industries.
Mr. Thune joins from Gartner and CEB where he spent fourteen years in a series of executive roles culminating in serving as Group President, SaaS and Technology Enabled Services. Prior to Gartner, he was a Senior Partner at Oliver Wyman. Mr. Thune holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
The addition of Mr. Thune and his business building experience will elevate the value proposition offered to Leaders Group’s customers through the enhancement of the group’s product and service offering, which includes:
- Market Intelligence and Analytics – Critical and timely global data and intelligence needed to support daily business decisions.
- Networks – Access and connectivity to globally relevant networks, such as league operators, team owners, facility operators, vendors, brands and merchants to facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, commerce and opportunities across the global sports, technology, media and entertainment ecosystem.
- Events – High value events with local to global perspectives through data-driven content and access to relevant industry thought leaders, practitioners and investors.
- Media – Delivery of real-time news, insights and analysis from industry and functional experts.
Whitney Shaw, CEO of American City Business Journals and Co-Founder of Sports Business Journal, will become Chairman of the newly established Leaders Group board of directors to which Mr. Thune will report. Mr. Shaw said: “Warren is a talented executive with a strong track record of building high performing teams and businesses. The business models Warren has executed throughout his impressive career, his ability to manage a global organization and his experience implementing acquisition strategies make him the ideal individual for the role. By combining our media, events and analytics holdings under a single corporate entity, we will be able to more effectively serve a customer base that is increasingly trying to understand how to best operate in a more technologically connected sports and entertainment ecosystem.”
Janine Shelffo, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Advance, stated, “The business of sports, esports and gaming is a multi-billion-dollar global business with significant unmet demand for more timely data and information and better intelligence to help participants optimize their businesses. We are enthusiastic about working with Warren and the Leaders Group team to seek additional investment and acquisition opportunities to create the most compelling and highest quality insights for clients in the industry.”
Warren S. Thune commented: “I am thrilled to be joining Leaders Group. This is an exciting opportunity to further enhance these industry leading companies and elevate our platform into the premier intelligence provider for global sports, esports and gaming professionals. I look forward to working with each of the Leaders Group businesses and their leadership teams to execute this vision.”
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-owned company that operates and invests in a broad range of media, communications and technology businesses globally. The Advance family of companies includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, 1010data, POP, Stage Entertainment and, upon the expected completion of its acquisition in Q2, Turnitin. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Discovery, Charter Communications and Reddit. For further information, please visit www.advance.com
SOURCE Advance
eSports
Mirage Digital Announces Partnership with Team Liquid

Mirage Digital, the next-generation content studio shaping the future of digital entertainment, announced a groundbreaking partnership with global eSports organization Team Liquid. With over 35 million social media followers across platforms, 100+ championship titles with its over 120+ players and content creators worldwide, Team Liquid is the highest earning eSports team in the world to launch a 24/7 live-streaming programming experience surrounding the fan-favorite World of Warcraft: Race to World First event.
Mirage has created a new content monetization model for creators and enterprising entities, unlocking previously untapped non-traditional revenue streams. The company helps its clients with repurposing, redistributing, licensing, and selling content across numerous platforms and territories. Resulting in over a million dollars for its eclectic roster of over 300 creators, the company leverages its extensive creator network and expertise in original content development, to redefine digital content syndication. Mirage Digital is bridging the gap between creators and enterprise opportunities by sourcing high-quality content from creators and repurposing it for expanded deal flow and pipeline of distribution across OTT and FAST platforms.
Team Liquid, coming off a championship win in March, is set to make history with its most ambitious Race to World First campaign yet, with live coverage kicking off in July. For the first time, the tournament and its surrounding content will be broadcast beyond Twitch to OTT and FAST audiences, expanding access for new and longtime fans alike.
“This launch marks a huge moment not just for Team Liquid, but for the future of all eSports and creator content. We’re unlocking a format that merges always-on content with world-class competitive play, giving fans a reason to tune in every hour of every day. This is a monumental moment for both television networks and eSports to recognize the boundaries they are breaking in both parallels,” said Griffin Haddrill, Founder of Mirage Digital.
The multi-day broadcast includes full tournament coverage alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes content, player profiles, real-time strategy breakdowns, and each day’s highlights – providing an unprecedented level of access to Team Liquid’s journey and personalities within the event.
Team Liquid will bring its world-renowned Race to World First event to new audiences with a livestream on The Roku Channel in late August. Widely regarded as one of the most thrilling competitions in MMORPG gaming, Race to World First draws millions of global viewers eager to watch elite teams battle for supremacy in World of Warcraft. Known for pushing the boundaries of eSports entertainment, Team Liquid is once again innovating – this marks the first time the iconic event will be available via a dedicated OTT streaming platform, giving fans an even more immersive viewing experience.
“This collaboration is the result of our mission to re-imagine where and how gaming and creator content lives. All parties saw an opportunity to take one of the most anticipated eSports events of the year and expand its reach to new audiences through OTT and FAST distribution. This is about creating long-term value for teams, fans, and platforms alike—and Race to World First is just the beginning,” said Robin Bigge, Co-CEO of Mirage Digital.
“This is a historic evolution in how we bring eSports to the world. We’ve built a legacy on competitive excellence, and this partnership lets us showcase the heart, hustle, and humanity of our players in a way we’ve never done before—24/7, across every screen,” said Claire Hungate, President & COO of Team Liquid.
This moment also marks the first time Team Liquid has programmed content specifically for a FAST Channel, a move that speaks to the maturation and crossover appeal of eSports for general audiences.
eSports
Esportes da Sorte celebrates Brazilian culture with Parintins and São João Sponsorships

Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, is making its debut at the 58th Parintins Folklore Festival with an interactive project that blends cultural promotion, economic development, and social responsibility.
The brand becomes the first regulated betting operator to offer institutional support to the event, which welcomes around 120,000 visitors and generates BRL 184 million in local economic activity, according to the Amazonas State Government.
This cultural commitment comes on the back of Esportes Gaming Brasil sponsoring 31 São João festivals during June in 27 cities across the Northeast and Southeast regions. This initiative strengthens the brand’s strategy of connecting with the public through the appreciation of Brazilian cultural expressions.
Esportes da Sorte’s focus was creating memorable experiences as each event featured scenography by Pernambucan artist Perron Ramos. Another notable element was the Vila Junina (June Village), a themed area blending traditional elements with interactive experiences. Classic games such as Pescaria da Sorte (Fishing of Fortune), Barraca do Beijo (Kissing Booth), and Argola da Sorte (Ring Toss) bring nostalgia to the festivities.
For the three-day Parintins Folklore Festival starting today, the brand will be energising Parintins with a series of experiences celebrating local culture. These include a panoramic lounge with a special view of the Bumbódromo, the Truck da Sorte — a space combining karaoke and free hydration — as well as a Social Arena installed in the Garantido and Caprichoso neighborhoods, featuring artistic performances, rest areas, free water distribution, and Instagram-worthy spots. Festivalgoers will also be able to get their hands on custom giveaways throughout the festival. All elements of the visual project are inspired by Amazonian art. The graphics feature illustrations by Curumiz, a Parintins-based duo formed by Alziney Pereira and Kemerson Freitas.
Sofia Aldin, CMO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the brand commented: “Esportes Gaming Brasil cares passionately about regional values and strengthening Brazilian popular culture. It’s more than simply showcasing our brand, we want to create value for the people who live for events like the Parintins Folklore Festival and the São João festivals. Being part of these events backs our strategy of supporting traditions that drive local economies and celebrate regional identities.”
eSports
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM FOOTPRINT WITH MOBADOO ESPORTS PARTNERSHIP

BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has announced a new partnership with prominent LATAM-focused esports provider Mobadoo, in a move that will see its Betby.Games portfolio fully integrated into Mobadoo’s product lineup.
This collaboration enables Mobadoo — which has an established presence and deep market understanding across Latin America — to incorporate BETBY’s proprietary and award-winning esports offering, delivering dynamic and fast-paced betting content to its growing user base. Among Betby.Games’ titles are eSoccer, eBasketball, eFighting, eCricket, eShooter, eHorse Racing, eTennis, and the Brazil-relevant eVaquejada.
As one of the most comprehensive and high-frequency esports betting solutions in the industry, Betby.Games offers access to more than 70 tournaments, over 350 betting markets, and more than 300,000 live matches each month. This collaboration will not only enhance Mobadoo’s offering but also reinforce BETBY’s position as a leading esports supplier in the LATAM region, a key pillar in the supplier’s global expansion strategy.
“Mobadoo has an excellent reputation and strong regional expertise, making them an ideal partner for us. Their commitment to innovation in esports and the rapid growth of this vertical in the region made our partnership only a matter of time,” commented Kirill Nekrasov, BETBY’s Head of Sportsbook Product. “This agreement not only expands the reach of our unique Betby.Games content, but also aligns perfectly with our global strategy of delivering flexible, high-performance esports solutions to next-generation operators. Together, we’re set to further strengthen our leading position in the LATAM region.”
José Aníbal Aguirre, Chief Marketing Officer at Mobadoo, added: “We’re thrilled to integrate Betby.Games into our offering. The depth and quality of their esports content is unmatched, and this partnership gives us a powerful new edge in catering to LATAM’s passionate esports fanbase. With BETBY’s support, we’re confident we can elevate the player experience and unlock new growth opportunities across the region.”
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