European esports company Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) announced a big shift in direction this morning with the reveal that it will merge and rebrand Chinese esports team Victory Five (ESV5), entering the LPL and China market for League of Legends.
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NiP Joins ESV5 in the LPL
The move comes as the company looks to spread its reach past Europe and throughout the world. Up until now, NiP only held European esports teams but this leap with ESV5 changes brings the team to China. Following its rebrand this year, the new Ninjas in Pyjamas looks to compete all over the world. Today’s news brings NiP into League of Legends esports and Wild Rift.
ESV5 is a joint venture between eStar Gaming and Victory 5, two Chinese esports programs. Unfortunately, the team saw very little success in the LPL, China’s League of Legends esports league. During the 2021 LPL Summer Split, Victory 5 ended the season 0-16 at the bottom of the standings.
Ninjas in Pyjamas x Victory Five
Finally taking a huge step into multiple global esports and nations, the new rebrand marks a new era for the European org. Few brands have announced expansions into non-native esports titles. Just like TSM FTX entered Wild Rift with a Brazilian team, Ninjas in Pyjamas now brings the Chinese ESV5 LPL roster and its own Wild Rift team.
“Today we’re taking a massive step towards that goal by entering a new market together with Chinese esports group ESV5 to create NIP Group — a global organization that fields teams in all the major esports titles,” NiP stated.
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Because of naming regulations from Riot Games, the name change and full rebrand won’t take place until the 2022 LPL Summer Split. While it’s unfortunate the full rebrand from NiP and ESV5 can’t be seen in the 2022 LPL Spring Season, League of Legends esports teams should still watch out for the new presence. Boasting world class teams in CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, and more, adding Victory Five’s LPL and Wild Rift esports rosters solidifies the Ninjas in Pyjamas brand.
Written by Justin Amin
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