AT&T takes partnership play to new arena: esports

The burgeoning esports business just got a well-connected partner: AT&T. The telecom giant has signed on as a partner with the esports operator ESL to sponsor several upcoming mobile video game competitions in North America. AT&T and ESL staged a surprise mobile game competition with several pro gamers playing the game Clash Royale as part of announcing the partnership Sunday at the telecom company's annual Shape tech and entertainment event in Los Angeles. Already well-known for its involvement in more traditional sports -- there's AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants -- AT&T has expanded into other entertainment sponsorships including the Tribeca Film Festival. Esports is at the "intersection of tech and entertainment," said Shiz Suzuki, assistant vice president for AT&T corporate sponsorships.