Christian Fuchs is best known as a Premier League winning footballer for Leicester City FC, and a former Austrian international. He’s something of a businessman too, however.
Fuchs is the owner of NoFuchsGiven, an apparel and streetwear brand which recently expanded its remit into esports. He’ll be discussing this on the 19th at esports business conference ESI London (18-20th September) alongside Sportego MD Trev Keane. You can find out more about the event and secure your pass right here.
Esports Insider: Why have you both decided to speak and get involved at ESI London?
Christian Fuchs: We are involved in the esports scene so attending and speaking at an event like ESI London makes perfect sense. It is a clued-in audience, familiar with the industry and the key trends emerging. The ESI London event itself is an exciting event with some excellent speakers.
ESI: Mesut Ozil, and your good self Christian – do you see other footballers following suit and creating esports teams?
Christian: Yes, I think this will become a common occurrence.
“It will be interesting to see who is the next player to start one. I can also see players moving across and creating teams for other titles, especially as some players play Fortnite for example”
FIFA and traditional football are very closely aligned and a lot of players play the game in their spare time, therefore it is natural they would progress to team ownership. It will be interesting to see who is the next player to start one. I can also see players moving across and creating teams for other titles, especially as some players play Fortnite for example.
ESI: Why do you think football clubs have lagged behind in adopting and entering esports in some form, when compared to their U.S. sports clubs counterparts for instance?
Christian: The European market often lags behind the US sports scene, especially when it comes to adopting technology or the fan experience.
“…the Dutch, French and German leagues have shown that Europe can be innovative in this space too”
ESI: Clubs and leagues have entered in different ways, which model or example do you each see as the best?
Christian: I think English clubs to date have just dipped their toes and not fully committed.
“I like what PSG have done in this space, they are looking at the wider picture and making smart partnerships”
It will be interesting to see what happens this year as there is a real buzz in the UK around the whole esports community. I like what PSG have done in this space, they are looking at the wider picture and making smart partnerships. I believe they are in talks with H2K on the LOL European tour and partnered with LGD for the Dota 2 tournament. They are investing in the scene.
ESI: Another ‘traditional sport’ which is going big on esports right now is F1. Have you looked into the sim racing scene?
Christian: Some say it has the potential to become the new grassroots of racing.. The Sim racing scene is very interesting, it has allowed F1 to engage with a younger audience and potentially find stars of the future.