Misfits have announced their partnership with NBA team Miami Heat, a deal which sees the latter become investors and assist in managerial responsibilities. What this will also mean is that Misfits will be rebranded to match the team, including colours and sponsorship.
The Heat aren't the first basketball team to invest in esports, as the Philadelphia 76ers achieved that with their acquisition of Team Dignitas back in September.
"The Miami Heat pride ourselves on being innovative in all aspects of sports and business," Miami Heat's CEO Nick Arison said in a news release. "For us, it made perfect sense to partner with Misfits, a young and ambitious franchise in a sport that is blazing a trail in terms of 21st century recreational competition amongst Millennials."
"This partnership will be the catalyst and foundation to our continued expansion of the Misfits organisation into a global esports brand and company," Misfits CEO Ben Spoont added. "The Heat [...] will help Misfits to unlock meaningful value across all facets of our business."
This goes to show that the trend of sports teams merging with esports teams doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. Is this a good decision for both teams?