Grand View, Team Liquid sign four-year esports deal

Grand View University and multi-regional esports organisation Team Liquid have entered a four-year partnership covering team apparel, event programming and the university’s 2027 summer esports camps. The US-based university and Team Liquid will connect collegiate players with professional esports staff and operations.

The organisations will jointly develop team apparel and jersey designs, with a release planned for the 2027-28 academic year. They also plan to create events and activities linking Grand View’s esports programme with Team Liquid’s professional operations.

Potential activities include visits to a Team Liquid facility and opportunities for students to shadow broadcast and production staff at a Team Liquid event. The organisations have not provided a schedule for those activities.

Grand View said the 2027 summer esports camps will be an early focus of the partnership. The university plans to consider bringing in Team Liquid staff, expertise and resources to help run the camps and shape their schedules. The camps are intended for participants who want to compete in esports and are part of Grand View’s work to develop the local esports community.

Nathan Ragsdell, Grand View’s director of esports, described the agreement as one of the most exciting opportunities of his esports career. “Team Liquid is one of, if not, the most recognisable and respected organisations in esports,” Ragsdell said. “Having the opportunity to collaborate with them gives our coaches and students a connection with professional esports industry leaders and an opportunity to learn from them.”

Grand View was among the earlier colleges to establish a varsity esports programme. Its teams compete in League of Legends, Overwatch, VALORANT, Rocket League and Marvel Rivals, and have taken part in national collegiate tournaments.

Team Liquid has previously worked with Lawrence Tech Esports on efforts to develop collegiate esports.

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