Star Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has revealed the launch of his own esports organization, Grizi Esport, and has begun seeking players and teams in Fortnite, CSGO, and more.
Griezmann joins an ever-growing list of professional sportsmen and global icons that are investing in esports – the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Neymar and Odell Beckham Jr. have all planted themselves in the industry in one way or another.
That said, none of the above players went the direct route and launched their own organization, with Griezmann clearly aspiring to make a mark in the industry with the launch of Grizi.
Grizi Esport first revealed itself to the world on January 20, alongside an announcement that Theo Griezmann, Antoine’s brother, will be the head manager of the organization.
Prêt @theogriezmann !? #HeadManager @GriziEsport pic.twitter.com/o5PbI9mXRt
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) January 20, 2020
Within a couple of hours, Grizi had made its aspirations clear, putting out a tweet detailing that they are looking for players to represent them in various titles.
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Asking players to get in touch, Grizi – which uses a penguin as its mascot – is on the look-out for teams and players in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, and FIFA.
Be a 🐧 pic.twitter.com/4zohmK0lr9
— Grizi Esport (@GriziEsport) January 20, 2020
The caliber of teams or players Griezmann is looking for to represent Grizi is not yet known, as he has started his own team rather than looking to work with some of the biggest endemic brands and making himself a powerhouse in the scene from the off.
That said, he clearly isn’t lacking too much knowledge in the esports space, focusing not only on FIFA like many of his other soccer-playing brethren but branching out into some of the biggest and most exciting titles right now.
Ironically, Griezmann isn’t the only Barcelona player to have invested in esports. Center-back Gerard Pique runs the eFootball.Pro league, which focuses on FIFA competitor Pro Evolution Soccer. Barcelona are among several professional teams to have their own esports team in the league.