Today, NRG Esports and Events DC have announced a new training home in Washington, DC that will be the home of NRG's developmental Overwatch team, who will act as the San Francisco Shock's academy team in the Overwatch Contenders Series. The move further reinforces the commitment that Events DC has in the growing of the esports industry in the nation's capitol. Last year, NRG Esports announced a partnership with Events DC to represent the city in the esports world.
Deputy Mayor Brain Kenner expressed Events DC goal of making Washington, DC an esports hub.
"Washington, DC is an innovative city with a flourishing creative economy that continues to position itself to attract new visitors, future residents and industries to bring new revenue to the city. While technology is shaping the future of entertainment, esports is just another opportunity for us to showcase DC. Through Events DC’s esports initiative, the District remains committed to creating a hub for esports."
Max Brown, Chairman and member of the Board of Directors for Events DC, was excited to see NRG Esports choose Washington, DC as the home for their Contenders team.
"We are beyond thrilled that NRG has chosen the District of Columbia to locate a house for their Overwatch Contenders team. One of our priorities at Events DC over the last 18 months has been to create and execute an esports strategy to position Washington, DC as a leader in this important economic development and tourism space. We have done this through our ongoing sponsorship of NRG; our hosting of major esports events, and our brand building across the country. This move by NRG to locate a team here in the nation’s capital is further evidence that our esports efforts continue to gain traction and show success."
"We are thrilled to be continuing the relationship between Events DC and NRG for another year," Said Brett Lautenbach, President of NRG Esports. "This year's focus on our Contenders Overwatch roster, that we will be housed in Washington DC, is incredibly exciting and offers up a host of new ways for Events DC and NRG to activate together."
The members of the Washington, DC based NRG Overwatch Contenders team will wear specialized jerseys with Events DC branding.
We are excited to announce that our Overwatch NRG Contenders Team brought to you by @TheEventsDC will be housed in DC!
— NRG Esports (@NRGgg) February 26, 2018
Check out the amazing players who will soon move to our Nation’s Capital to train & compete for the championship. #NRGFam
Info: https://t.co/QLwESdXbu5 pic.twitter.com/TIRXSuvNKI
The full roster for the NRG Esports Overwatch Contenders team includes the following players.
- Riley "Fahzix" Taylor - Main Support
- Robert "Rob420" Garcia - Flex Support
- Eoghan "Smex" O'Neill - Flex Tank
- Sangwan "Butcher" Yoon - Main Tank
- Ethan " Stratus" Yankel - Flex DPS
- Daemin "Daemin" Kim - DPS
They will be led by head coach Bumhoon "Ninek" Kim, manager/assistant coach Shaurav "Shu" Ghosh and assistant coach Albert "Yehhh" Yeh.
Everyone is very excited to represent NRG and to be given the opportunity to represent Events DC in Overwatch Contenders. We can't wait to move to DC and begin grinding,” said Robert Garcia, NRG Contenders Overwatch Player.
The NRG Overwatch Contenders team will be looking to make a name for themsleves, as they battle to take home the lion's share of the Overwatch Contenders Series $185,040 prize pool.
Interested in more Overwatch news? Check out the newest roster addition to the Seoul Dynasty.
