While the FaZe Clan group saved itself from bankruptcy, despite problems raised last May during the takeover of BRPM, it is now the turn of another large North American franchise to be taken over: FlyQuest, mainly known for its esports team on League of Legends in LCS. The structure, where the French toucouille plays in particular, belonged until now to its founder Wesley Edens (co-founder of the Milwaukee Bucks), and to the Fortress Investment Group.
She was bought by Viola Family Office, another investment fund notably owner of the Florida Panthers team in NHL (the national hockey league). Its founder, Vincent Viola, is a billionaire veteran of the US army, who had been contacted by Donald Trump to be Minister of the Armed Forces. Michael Viola, the president of the group, explains this acquisition:
We’re excited about the future of esports, and we were drawn to FlyQuest’s culture and commitment to playing for a greater purpose. We are excited to lead FlyQuest into its next chapter as a mission-driven organization that competes at the highest level both in North America and on the global stage.
The structure wishes to diversify and establish itself a little more in esports from now on, by teasing the arrival of FlyQuest on other scenes. Recently, the strategic director of the Florida Panthers announced that he wanted a team on CS: GO, Call of Duty and Rocket League. In addition to its LoL team and its academy, FlyQuest had an Apex Legends roster and a PUBG roster, since dismantled. A Rocket League team was also disbanded in 2018 and could therefore be revived. On the LoL side, the current structure should remain in place, with the same ambitions and the same staff.