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North American esports organization FlyQuest has a new home. The Viola family – owners of Sunrise Sports and Entertainment (SSE), the parent company of the NHL’s Florida Panthers – has acquired FlyQuest and its franchise slot League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
FlyQuest was founded in 2017 by Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wesley Edens and Fortress Investment Group. The team started and built its reputation in League of Legends. In 2021 FlyQuest expanded to Super Smash Bros. melee.
Since the takeover is effective immediately, no major personnel changes are expected.
Sports owners are no stranger to esports, but the NHL is generally underrepresented compared to other professional sports leagues. Monumental Sports & Entertainment – parent company of the Washington Capitals – owns the Washington Justice of the Overwatch League and has a stake in Team Liquid. Other NHL teams — most notably the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders — have engaged in esports teams and activations.
While the move will likely solve any immediate cash flow problems, FlyQuest needs to use these funds wisely. In June 2022, former CEO Tricia Sugita stepped down from her position to eventually become the CMO of rival Cloud9. With CEO Michael Choi at the helm and the current team reporting to the new owner, FlyQuest will have to determine what the organization’s next era will look like.
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