eSports
Crown Royal Partners With Columbia Records To Unite Artists And NBA 2k League Teams Through Virtual Music & Gaming Series, Featuring Hawks Talon Gaming And Detroit Pistons GT
As the professional basketball season comes to a close, basketball fans everywhere can continue their love of the game at home with the launch of the Crown Royal and Columbia Records gaming collaboration: The Crown Crossover – Music, Gaming and Culture Series. This six-episode series streams on the official Crown Royal Facebook page, featuring Columbia Records artists Quinn XCII, Joey Bada$$, CHASE B and more, playing NBA 2K. This unique partnership sits at the intersections of gaming, music and basketball, with each artist connecting and competing with top gamers, including iPodKingCarter, Aerial Powers, Erin Ashley Simon and Mike LaBelle.
During the weekly livestream series, a Columbia Records artist, two NBA 2K League players from the Detroit Pistons GT or Hawks Talon Gaming, and gamer will be discussing their latest projects and basketball, engaging with 21+ fans, and enjoying a Crown Royal cocktail responsibly. The first two episodes featured Columbia artist Quinn XCII, and fans will be able to watch the final four episodes with Joey Bada$$ and Chase B every Wednesday this month.
In addition to the Columbia Records partnership, Crown Royal has inked team deals with two official NBA 2K League affiliates, the Hawks Talon Gaming and Detroit Pistons GT. As part of these deals, Crown Royal will be working with each team to engage with fans at this exciting connection of gaming and esports.
“Our partnership with Columbia Records, the Pistons GT and Hawks Talon for The Crown Crossover livestream is another way for us to take our passion and love for the game of basketball and bring it directly to our fans,” said Nicky Heckles, Vice President of Crown Royal. “This weekly experience brings some of the league’s brightest stars, professional gamers and musicians together in a way we can’t help but be excited about.”
Hosts include Jeff Eisenband and Phil Visu. In total, there will be six episodes through the end of August.
“Being able to bring together music and gaming culture into one program with our partners at Crown Royal is an authentic match,” said Hannah Satzke, Brand Partnerships Columbia Records. “We are excited to launch this series with Crown Royal and our incredible group of talent.”
The Global Esports Federation at its 16th Board Meeting approved the draft program for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, to be held in December 2026. This follows the earlier announcement of Los Angeles as host city at a major ceremony hosted by Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman & CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel—now marking a significant milestone on the road to GEF’s flagship event in the United States.
The GEF Board also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as President of the Global Esports Federation. Paul, who is GEF Chief Executive Officer, was appointed President ad interim following the resignation of founding President Chris Chan in July, and now assumes the role of President & CEO through December 2027.
In addition, the GEF Board approved the establishment of frameworks to develop the esports ecosystem in the United States, anchored in Los Angeles. This initiative will strengthen the GEF’s connections with stakeholders worldwide and reinforce its mission to elevate esports for all.
The outcomes of GEF 16th Board Meeting reaffirm the GEF’s role as a convening platform, uniting athletes, publishers, Member Federations, and partners to power the future of esports globally.
- Team Vitality launches 2025 Alternate Jersey and an exclusive apparel collection, bringing a new level of energy and excitement for fans.
- The jersey, featuring a white base with red and blue accents, pays homage to the French flag and will be worn by all Team Vitality athletes at major esports events taking place in France later this year, including the Rocket League Worlds and EVO Nice.
- The Alternate Jersey is available today for €79.99, both online and at Team Vitality’s official Paris store.
Team Vitality is proud to unveil its new Alternate Jersey, accompanied by an exclusive apparel collection. This launch completes the club’s annual merchandise lineup, following the release of the black Pro Jersey earlier this year and the iconic yellow US-style Jersey worn during the Austin Major triumph.
This Alternate edition, featuring the French blue, white and red, honours Team Vitality’s Parisian roots while celebrating the major esports events set to close out the year in France.
The jersey will feature on the global stage with the Rocket League team at the World Championships from September 12 to 14.
PERFORMANCE MEETS LIFESTYLE
The Alternate Collection features a new, stylish jersey and a limited-edition clothing line that blends performance and lifestyle. As with every year, the Alternate Jersey is traditionally white, serving as a complement to the black Pro Jersey released earlier in the year.
Designed in collaboration with hummel, the jersey combines comfort and performance, offering a lightweight fit built to withstand the demands of competitive play. The accompanying exclusive apparel collection follows the same artistic vision, offering clothing and accessories designed for everyday wear. This brand-new lifestyle range, along with exclusive items, reflects the club’s distinctive style.
ALTERNATE JERSEY
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Jersey – €79.99
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Sleeves – €29.99
- Exclusive Vitality Alternate 2025 Pack – €79.99 (includes 1 Alternate Jersey and a complimentary pair of exclusive sleeves)
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LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Sweatshirt – €59.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 T-Shirt – €29.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Jacket – €69.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Joggers – €54.99
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ACCESSORIES
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Scarf – €19.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Flag – €24.99
- Collector Cards (set of 3 or 8 trading cards) – €5.99
- Mouse Pad (small / large) – €19.99 / €29.99
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BASILISK, the global esports organization built to champion science, announced the signing of legendary fighting game competitor Justin ‘Jwong’ Wong as captain of its newly formed Fighting Game Community (FGC) Division. Wong will lead BASILISK’s entry into the FGC by recruiting players, developing community events, and creating FGC – science crossover content.
“Justin isn’t just a competitive genius – he is a cultural icon and humble leader within the FGC. We are incredibly proud to have him leading our FGC division and support the amazing work he already does for the community,” said BASILISK co-founder Christopher Bothur.
A nine-time Evolution Championship Series (Evo) Champion and Guinness World Record holder, Wong brings unparalleled FGC credibility and expertise to BASILISK. His reach extends across the entire FGC fandom of millions, and he was immortalized in Evo Moment #37 which has over 100 million views.
As Captain of BASILISK FGC, Wong will leverage BASILISK’s data analytics to scout and train the next generation of FGC pros.
“Math is super important to fighting games. I’m excited to join science’s esports team. I’m passionate about finding promising players with a positive mentality and shaping them into the next big thing. I want to see somebody else in the spotlight after me and help them reach their potential. If we can discover the next world champion, that would be fantastic,” said Wong upon joining BASILISK.
The signing comes on the heels of BASILISK’s new partnerships with The Planetary Society and Caltech’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), announced in July. These collaborations create a powerful bridge between renowned scientific institutions and gamers, which Wong will amplify to his millions of followers and fans.
“Justin is a dream addition to our organization. He exemplifies the dedication and analytical capacity required to be an esports champion or great scientist,” added BASILISK co-founder Hans Kassier.
Wong becomes the second “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) to join BASILISK, alongside Finnish StarCraft 2 legend Joona “Serral” Sotala, who just captured the SC2 Esports World Cup Championship in July 2025. The signing also creates opportunities for cross-over content with BASILISK’s diverse roster, including chess Grandmaster Vincent Keymer and award-winning science communicator Kyle Hill, who brings over 2.5 million followers and a vast network of science enthusiasts to the organization.
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