Riot Games has just revealed a new Global Head of League of Legends Esports, John Needham, meaning that the previous co-Heads of Esports Jarred Kennedy and Whalen Rozelle will move to new positions.
"Riot's aspirations are growing, and we are moving three of our proven leaders to accomplish even bigger things, on games, and beyond games," said Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent. "John's global experience, track record with our regional esports leagues, and true passion for gaming will accelerate the evolution of League of Legends into one of the leading sports and entertainment properties in the world."
Needham will develop major events like the World Championship and Mid-Season Invitational, with the aim being to accelerate growth. He has been with Riot since 2017 and has been Managing Director of Europe and North America.
"We are currently in the middle of our ninth season with League of Legends esports, and when we look at the timelines under which traditional sports have evolved, over many decades if not centuries, we're extremely bullish on what we're creating," said Needham. "At Riot Games, we believe that we're well ahead of the curve and that esports are still only in their infancy. With player experience guiding us as it does all of Riot, we are building a global, sustainable ecosystem for players, teams, partners, and fans alike. We're honored to be considered leaders in the esports space and believe it's part of our responsibility to help shepherd it forward by investing in the right ideas, events, and structure to help this sport reach its full potential."
Is this a good choice?