Yahoo Esports Launches

March 2,2016  : YAHOO! INC. LAUNCH ESPORTS (Update)

Targets global audience of 226 million.

Yahoo! Inc. launched Yahoo Esports Wednesday, touting “a new premier destination for delivering professional esports coverage across major games and events, coupled with a comprehensive product experience.”

The company said the new vertical will cater to a global audience that reached over 226 million in 2015.

Yahoo Esports (YE) will have an emphasis on video content covering live tournaments, commentary, marquee interviews and in-depth features.  In addition, YE will maintain industry wide calendars, stats and player rankings.

Veteran video games reporter Andrea Rene will host experts Travis Gafford and Taylor Cocke in weekly “League of Legends” coverage and break down “Heroes of the Storm” and “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” with Dylan Walker. Yahoo Esports will also cover other major titles including “Dota 2” and “Hearthstone.”

“We’re approaching our coverage of esports with the same tenacity and professionalism we always have with Yahoo Sports, News and Finance,” saidBob Condor, vice president of Yahoo Sports Media in a press statement. “Coupled with our experience in building great products, we’ve gone out and assembled an experienced and innovative content team that will cover esports from every angle.”

The site will also offer a live chat feature where fans can connect with the community with a focus initially at launch on coverage around “League of Legends,” “Dota 2,” “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” “Heroes of the Storm,” and “Street Fighter V”.  Additional titles will be  added over time.