Guild Esports, a new global esports business headquartered in London and co-owned by David Beckham, today announced its global launch.
Guild say they’re developing a talent pipeline in the UK based on the traditional academy model, which ‘will see the most able players coached and nurtured by industry leaders in order to attain the skillset required to compete professionally’.
A roster of scouts will aim to find and sign the best young talent.
Guild’s management team includes executive chairman Carleton Curtis, architect of the Overwatch League and Call Of Duty Leagues. Prior to joining Guild, he held senior esports roles at Activision Blizzard and Red Bull.
David Beckham’s move into esports is not a huge surprise. The former Manchester United and England football star and co-owner of Inter Miami CF in the MLS has ‘a passion for guiding youth talent to achieve excellence’, say Guild.
“His involvement in the launch of Guild offers a powerful opportunity to introduce his level of professional sports acumen to the world of esports and further strengthen this evolving sport,” said Guild in a statement.
Guild will aim to enter various esports titles over the course of the 2020/21 season, including the likes of Rocket League, FIFA and Fortnite, with their inaugural team making their debut this autumn this year.
Guild have also secured London-based artist Fergus Purcell, creator of the identity for skate wear label Palace, to design their brand and develop a lifestyle apparel line.
David Beckham, Guild Esports co-owner, said: “Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with players at the top of their game, and I’ve seen first-hand the passion and dedication it takes to play at that level.
“I know that determination lives in our esports athletes today and at Guild we have a vision to set a new standard, supporting these players into the future. We are committed to nurturing and encouraging youth talent through our academy systems and I am looking forward to helping our Guild Esports team grow.”
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
