After an extremely short relationship break, the international online gambling operator Betway and the professional eSports organisation Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) have decided to join forces once again.
A strong expression of disapproval followed the two companies’ announcement of their partnership contract termination, at a time when Betway is one of the leading bookmakers in the online gambling industry and operates under a license issued by reputable regulatory body.
Over the weekend, Ninjas in Pyjamas published an official announcement of the deal on its website, as well as a video called “One Year With NiP”. The Sweden-based eSports organisation revealed that the opinions of its players, fans and staff made it re-consider the termination of Betway contract and make the decision to join forces once again. NiP further revealed that the contract with the global iGaming operator is to be re-established after the organisation League of Legends Championship Series’ participation agreement expires.
Initial Contract Announcement
The two companies announced their first-ever sponsorship agreement a year ago, in September. The contract came as a milestone for both Betway and Ninjas in Pyjamas. It was a record one for the eSports industry, as its price was clearly a high six-figure one.
The partnership of the two brands had turned out a popular one not only because of the fact that the contract has been one of the largest ones ever signed in the eSports sector, but also because the bookmaker’s eSports team has managed to create excellent content and competitions for its customers. The contract has also gained much popularity in social networks, with its Twitter channel has been considered a great place for entertainment.
Reasons for the Break-Up
Only a month ago, the global gambling operator and the Sweden-based eSports organisation announced that they had parted ways less than twelve months after they signed their sponsorship agreement in September 2016. The decision for the contract termination came after Ninjas in Pyjamas revealed that they were to enter League of Legends.
At that time, it became clear that the rules of LoL’s developer Riot suspended gambling operators to sponsor eSports organisations which took part in the League. The sponsorship contract of Betway and NiP was officially ended on August 13th, less than a year after they first signed the agreement intended to be a multiple-year one.
Under the agreement, the international online gambling operator became the main sponsor of Ninjas in Pyjamas. Unfortunately for the two parties, the owner of the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) – Riot Games – suspended gambling websites from signing as sponsors of eSports organisations such as NiP. The strict rules, and more specifically rule 7.2.4 under which no logos of a gambling operator and their products and services fould be displayed by LoL teams, became the reason why Ninjas in Pyjamas had decided to end their partnersship agreement with Betway in August.
- Author
Olivia Cole
