Latest news from the sports world. West Ham United, an English Premier League football team, yesterday announced that they have signed Sean Allen (better known by his gaming handle “Dragonn”) to play for the team. In signing Allen, the Hammers becomes the first football club in the United Kingdom to sign an official e-sports “athlete”.
At his grand unveiling, Allen had this to say:
“I am delighted to be joining West Ham United as their official e-sports player, this is a massive move forward for me. I have been playing competitive FIFA for a very long time and this is the biggest thing ever to happen to me. West Ham have had an astonishing season in the Premier League with Europe looking very likely for next season. I will be doing my very best in FIFA tournaments all around the world to emulate their success. After finishing second in the recent FIFA interactive World Cup, I plan to keep moving forward and, hopefully, with West Ham’s help and support I will be doing exactly that!”
In the interview Allen gave at his unveiling, he mentions his Essex roots and West Ham being the closest club to him. That’s not exactly the ringing endorsement of a lifelong fan, but perhaps he’s not into football in the real world.
Allen, who finished as the runner up in the 2016 FIFA “Interactive World Cup” (yeah, apparently that’s a thing now!) signals the club’s intention to get in early on the E-sports market. Allen will be wearing a Hammers top while playing in the “Play Like A Legend” final today at the Gfinity Arena in London.
Perhaps I’m just a crotchety old man, but I still don’t really get the E-sports thing. What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments.