Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the Green Bay Packers is entering the esports arena
The wide receiver from the Green Bay Packers NFL team, Marquez Valdes-Scantling ("MVS"), has joined forces with Subnation to create Trench Made Gaming (TMG). He is not the first NFL star to jump on the esports trend. Others have worked with or created franchises across multiple game titles.
Similar to other leagues, the NFL has also recently partnered with Skillz, a public company with a large mobile gaming platform. Partnerships between professional athletes/leagues and the esports world are proving to be beneficial. They are useful for connecting to a wider audience, especially younger fans. These collaborations also allow for year-round engagement with fans by creating contests and interactive opportunities during the off-season.
“People doubted me at every school I went to. I battled through so many adverse situations,” Valdes-Scantling said when talking about TMG. The challenges Valdes-Scantling had to overcome in his own sports career are the inspiration behind the name Trench Made. He refers to not making it his first year on the high school football team, switching colleges midway and being drafted in the fifth round before making it to where he is today.
MVS and Subnation
This partnership between MVS and Subnation is noteworthy for a few reasons. Not only does Valdes-Scantling have a large following on social media platforms. He also stays connected with the gaming community by streaming on Twitch. This, in addition to Subnation’s partnerships with brands, including but not limited to Amazon Games, L’Oreal, Volkswagen, Marvel and E3, amplifies the potential of TMG as a franchise. Subnation also has plans for a gamer-focused project in 2022 with Atari Hotel in Las Vegas, extending their strategy to lifestyle experiences.
MVS is proving that he is not just an athlete but also a smart business person. The recruitment plan for TMG takes inspiration from the NFL Scouting Combine, where players are tested physically and mentally. Currently, there is no official timeline for auditions. But plans for enlisting players from Fortnite and Call of Duty are in the talks, according to Valdes-Scantling. Players who make it to the final roster will be training together virtually. They'll also be given tools to master gameplay, create streaming content and manage their overall wellness.
