It’s rare to see a No. 1 overall draft …

It’s rare to see a No. 1 overall draft pick winning a championship in their first year of competition. But that’s exactly what happened Friday night as the Washington Wizards-owned Wizards District Gaming won the NBA 2K League title, fueled by a stellar performance by rookie point guard John “JBM” Mascone. “I was just telling my parents I’ve been playing sports for 18 years and I’ve never been so emotional,” Mascone told ESPN after the championship.

Wizards District defeated the Golden …

Wizards District defeated the Golden State Warriors-owned Warriors Gaming Squad, 3-1, in the best-of-five series to claim their first championship. After Warriors Gaming won the first game, Wizards found their groove and won three straight. “We felt like we came out flat-footed, and we didn’t talk enough,” Mascone said about losing the opening game. “We were blinded by the moment. Going into these things, you try not to hype it up, but also have a sense of urgency… we found that balance starting in Game 2. Game 1 was a blessing in disguise.”

“… In a game like (NBA 2K), where you …

“… In a game like (NBA 2K), where you have a week before, you can’t think about anything else,” Mascone said. “I’m dreaming about this. We didn’t have any time to think going into the game against the Raptors. They were undisputedly the best team in the league. We were just better on that day.” Playoff MVP honors went to center Ryan “Dayfri” Conger. Mascone said Conger was the voice of reason for the team after losing Game 1. Conger helped reset the team’s mentality after the loss and get them back on track for the hardware.

Esports company Faze Clan announced …

Esports company Faze Clan announced today that two-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has joined a Series B funding round that has yet to close. The Philadelphia 76ers star is the latest basketball player to invest in Faze Clan, following the New Orleans Pelicans’ Josh Hart, the Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard and the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray. Esports have been a hot destination for athletes to place their cash. Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez and David Beckham are among those with stakes in competitive gaming companies. European soccer stars Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal have started their own esports teams.

Faze Clan was ranked by Forbes in …

Faze Clan was ranked by Forbes in November as the fourth-most-valuable esports company. Terms of Simmons’ investment were not disclosed. “My role with FaZe now goes much deeper than the initial investment,” says Simmons, adding that he was drawn to the company as a teenager because of its cool brand and came to believe in its family gaming culture. “I am going to bring it back to Australia and bring an international side to it. I also want to bring more kids into it.”

USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League crowns first-ever champ

After a month of great matchups, with over 160 games played, USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League has its first-ever champion.

The USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League has a champion, the first-ever such crowing among Madden gamers.

The nearly month-long inaugural Madden 20 10K Open saw 450 esport participants test their skills for a possible cut of the $10,000 prize pool.

After a ton of great matchups, the tournament’s final seven players headed into this past weekend for a chance at earning the top prize, with a formidable group coming out of the head-to-head action.

North Bracket: Warrengotstick (bye)

South Bracket: Chiggs of 300

West Bracket: Franklin1942

East Bracket: Equozo

The best-of-three playoffs came and went in the blink of an eye, though, with Chiggs of 300 and Equozo making quick work of their opponents, both only needing two games to reach the finals.

For Chiggs of 300, his continued success with the Baltimore Ravens’ defense made it difficult for the opponent’s offense to produce any game-changing momentum, which was not accidental or lucky but instead a result of pregame study. “I knew exactly what my opponent was going to run on offense,” he explained to For The Win, “and I was able to prepare for it before the games.”

That preparation only heightened an offensive attack—one that he had mentioned would have a few additional wrinkles in the game plan—and he closed out the semifinals 20-10 and 30-16.

Equozo’s Madden 20 talents didn’t disappoint, either. He had been dominating on defense during the tournament, using a Kansas City Chiefs team that surrendered an average of two touchdowns per game. In contrast, the offense—as we’ve all come to expect—had torched other teams with nearly five TDs a game.

Although both games were not completely fitting of those metrics—21-7 and 23-20, respectively—the outcomes captured the Al Davis-approved ethos: Just win, baby!

From there, the best-of-three final showdown was set. It was two players capable of outshining the other, on both sides of the ball. Chiggs of 300’s overall thoughts echoed what we’ve heard in moments like these: “Even though I was happy to be in the final, I knew that the job wasn’t finished.”

And then, kickoff!

Game 1: 38-21

Game 2: 17-10

And just like that, a champion’s work was completed. Game. Set. Madden.

Courtesy of Super League

“I didn’t make any major changes after the semifinal,” Chiggs of 300 told For The Win after earning the top nod. He had dabbled with a possible defensive shift to counter his opponent’s offensive attack, but that never happened. In the end, it was his day in the sun—or really: day in the comfort of his own home.

What’s the feeling like, I asked.

“It’s an honor to be the first USA Today Madden tournament champion,” he said, before shifting focus to the overall enjoyment. “The experience was great, everyone involved did an amazing job. It was awesome to be able to compete for a share of $10,000 in a free-entry tournament, all from home.”

The tournament’s success leaves open the idea that repeats could surely happen down the road—in football and beyond.

As for the inaugural Madden champ? There’s always a first for for everything, especially in the sports cosmos where records are kept, discussed, and then replayed in conversations. It’s part of the fun. And now, there’s a small slice of esports history that will go hand-in-hand (or controller) with one Madden gamer and his Ravens squad…

Chiggs of 300 yesterday, the USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League’s first-ever champion Chiggs of 300 today and forever!

Courtesy of Super League

This tournament is not affiliated with or sponsored by Electronic Arts Inc. or its licensors.

Watch: New USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League video

The Madden 20 10K Open is coming soon; have you reserved your spot yet in the tournament?

If you didn’t know about the USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League — or you needed just a bit of an extra push (some hype?) to get the ball rolling — then sit back and press play.

[jwplayer I1B1MBPZ]

(If the video doesn’t load, click here to view)

The tournament begins July 6th, so make sure to register now on Super League’s website. And remember, it’s free!

Plus, registered participants in the Madden 20 10K Open will not only have the chance to win part of the $10,000 prize pool, but they’ll also have opportunities to be included in the tournament’s coverage by USA TODAY Sports and For The Win.

Both companies will also showcase exciting highlights across their social media channels, some of which will be player-submitted, so bragging rights will be at full strength!

Your time is now, Madden 20 gamers — sign up today!

Also see: The USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League is here!

(Questions about the tournament? You can find a few of the answers here.)

This tournament is not affiliated with or sponsored by Electronic Arts Inc. or its licensors.

The USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League is here!

Madden 20 + a $10k prize pool sounds like a winning combination to us. Do you have what it takes to win?

[jwplayer OCuUmDgy]

Madden 20 players, the time has come to show off your skills — on a national stage, for a chance at winning part of a $10,000 prize pool.

Boom!

USA Today Sports has launched a free Madden 20 bracket-style tournament open to amateur players, with a chance to collect some of the $10,000 prize pool. As part of its partnership with Super League Gaming, which operates an amateur gaming content and community platform, USA Today Sports’ bracket tourney will allow thousands of players of all skill levels to show off their Madden 20 prowess beginning July 6, all from the comforts of their own home and Xbox One console.

“Whether you’re a casual player or trying to climb the ranks to be one of the best, our Open format gives you a shot,” explained Matt Edelman, Super League’s Chief Commercial Officer. “It’s great to be able to bring players together during this isolating time when it’s not as easy for people to meet up at one person’s house for a round of games on a weekend afternoon.”

The competition begins Monday, July 6th. Super League will host, monitor, and manage the Tournament’s gameplay, while USA TODAY Sports and For The Win will provide complete coverage of the Tournament and updates to the bracket. Both companies also will be showcasing exciting highlights across their social media channels.

Players can submit game highlights, too, with a chance to be featured on USA Today Sports and For The Win.

The best part? Registration for the tournament is simple and free!

Here’s how it works:

Players who are 13 years of age or older can register for the tournament—if you’re under 17, you’ll need a parent or legal guardian to sign this consent form for the prizing.

After registering, players will be matched automatically for the opening round, which will be from July 6 to July 26. Like major tournaments, you’ll be separated by conferences — North, East, South, or West — where you’ll play Best of Three matches in a 64-person group.

The best of the best from each conference (two contestants) will move onto the playoffs on August 1, where the eight players will compete to determine a Final Four — all while enjoying the national attention from USA Today Sports’ coverage of the event.

Then, on August 2…a chance at Madden 20 Glory (and cash!). The top four players will compete in the Finals Bracket and the pool of $10,000, with the first-place champ pocketing $1,500.

And the bragging rights? Priceless.

Registration is open now — good luck!

Questions about the tournament? You can find a few of the answers here.

This tournament is not affiliated with or sponsored by Electronic Arts Inc. or its licensors.

León cumple ante América y es el primer campeón de la eLigaMX

La eLigaMX ya tiene campeón y es ‘La Fiera’ de León que ganó su compromiso 1-0 en la final ante América y los esmeraldas de la mano de Nicolás Sosa ‘Nickiller’ consiguieron el primer trofeo del torneo de futbol virtual organizado por la Liga MX. En …

La eLigaMX ya tiene campeón y es ‘La Fiera’ de León que ganó su compromiso 1-0 en la final ante América y los esmeraldas de la mano de Nicolás Sosa ‘Nickiller’ consiguieron el primer trofeo del torneo de futbol virtual organizado por la Liga MX.

En un emocionante partido, digno de una final, tanto Sosa como Santi Cáseres, representante de las Águilas, jugaron con su estilo y dos defensivas muy sólidas pues hubieron pocos disparos a gol y mucho trabajo en el medio campo.

Los esmeraldas de León fungieron como locales para este compromiso pues culminaron en segunda posición general, sin embargo, todos coincidíamos en que fue el mejor equipo de la fase regular.

Muy temprano en la primera mitad León se fue al frente en el marcador y la ventaja resultó definitiva y La Fiera es el primer campeón.

Tras el festejo, incluso con lágrimas, de Nickiller, habló el presidente de la Liga MX Enrique Bonilla y entregó de manera simbólica el trofeo de campeón y envió un mensaje de agradecimiento a todos los jugadores que participaron en este torneo y ayudaron a llevar un poco de emoción y diversión a millones de personas en sus hogares confinados debido a la pandemia.

¡Felicidades León!