NBA superstar Michael Jordan leads $26m investment into aXiomatic Gaming
Jordan invests in parent company of third-most valuable esports organisation, Team Liquid
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan is the latest sporting legend to invest in esports, following in the footsteps of fellow NBA stars Rick Fox, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Jordan is leading an investor round worth $26 million into aXiomtic Gaming, the parent company of professional esports franchise Team Liquid.
“I'm excited to expand my sports equity portfolio through my investment in aXiomatic," said Jordan in a statement. "Esports is a fast-growing, international industry and I'm glad to partner with this great group of investors."
Formed in 2015, aXiomatic Gaming acquired a controlling stake in Team Liquid the following year.
Team Liquid was established in 2000 and is now worth $200 million according to a recent Forbes valuation.
This would make the third-most valuable esports franchise in the world, just behind Cloud9 ($310 million) and Team SoloMid ($250 million).
The aXiomatic leadership team is populated by veterans from the traditional sports world, including the NBA, the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, and Major League Soccer.
aXiomatic was also part of Walt Disney's 2017 accelerator programme which invested in 11 tech and media companies. Additionally, it has invested in esports coaching platform Gamer Sensei and local tournament organiser, Super League Gaming.