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Traditional sports are Watch V Onlinemingling with esports more and more as NBA players, managers and now teams are investing in and acquiring esports teams around the world.

The Philadelphia 76ers are now the owners of esports organizations Team Dignitas and Apex -- now merged under the name Dignitas -- which field teams in League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, Heroes of the Stormand Smite. The Sixers are the first North American sports organization to with a majority stake in an esports franchise.

With the acquisition of the 13-year-old Dignitas, the Sixers bought spots in the North American League of LegendsChampionship Series, ESL Counter-StrikePro League and ELeague Counter-StrikeSeason 2. Dignitas also has one of the top Heroes of the Stormteams in Europe and will be playing at the Fall Global Championship at BlizzCon.

As the new owners, the Philadelphia 76ers intend to manage day-to-day operations of the teams, listing sponsorships, sales, branding, marketing, merchandising and publicity, as well as provide resources for player recruitment, development and wellness.

Apex's former co-owner Michael Slan will now be a vice president and general manager of Dignitas, while Dignitas managing director Michael O'Dell will be the new team president. Greg Richardson has been brought on as chairman of the franchise.

“We intend to build a fan-first team that aspires for excellence in all aspects of the business from attracting premier playing talent to building out merchandising, sponsorships and broadcast rights,” Richardson said in a statement.

This past year has seen a surge of mostly NBA-related people getting into esports. NRG Esports formed under the co-owners of the Sacramento Kings with Shaquille O'Neal as an investor. Echo Fox was founded by ex-NBA player Rick Fox. Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko acquired Renegades and moved them to Detroit.

European Soccer club in the English Premiere League and Bündesliga like Manchester City and Wolfsburg currently own some FIFAesports players.

This influx of NBA influence in esports is likely due to a presentation made at an NBA Board of Governors meeting about the growth of the esports industry. According to a recent study, the esports industry is worth about $900 million and growing.

“The eSports industry is primed for incredible growth and we are thrilled to become an owner of such a storied franchise as Team Dignitas," Sixers' Managing General Partner Josh Harris said in a statement. "We see our entrance into eSports as a natural extension of our expanding interests in traditional sports and entertainment and are confident that our involvement will accelerate the already rapid pace of growth in eSports as a whole."

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