New England Patriots Owner to Open Esports Training Facility for OWL Team

Kraft Sports and Entertainment, the company owned by Robert Kraft, the owner of the National Football League’s (NFL) New England Patriots, has unveiled plans for a new dedicated esports training facility near Gillette Stadium.

The news was carried in an article in Sports Pro Media.

Helix Esports Center, which is being developed in partnership with New Jersey-based gaming company Helix Esports, will become the training facility for the Boston Uprising Overwatch League franchise.

Due to open in January 2020, the facility will be located at Patriots Place, the Kraft Group’s shopping complex built around Gillette Stadium, home to the reigning NFL champions, and is equipped with more than 100 gaming stations.

The 18,000 square-foot venue will also be open to recreational esports leagues, and will provide educational programs for middle and high-school students, with more than 30 games consoles available to the public.

Jen Ferron, Kraft Sports’ chief marketing officer, said: “With the Uprising’s move to Boston, we wanted to provide the team with a first-class practice facility and give our fans unprecedented access to their home team.

“This new partnership with Helix Esports will accomplish both of these goals by providing our fans with access to our team and players through onsite events and appearances, while allowing the Uprising to practice from a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Patriot Place.”

Murphy Vandervelde, chief executive of Helix Esports, added: “Helix Esports could not be more excited to announce our new gaming centre at Patriot Place and our partnership with the Boston Uprising. We believe that physical gaming centres will accelerate the proliferation of esports competition for gamers from all walks of life.

“Our mission at Helix Esports is to build the infrastructure beneath the professional scene to create a more transparent path to a career in esports and related industries. By providing a centre with uniform, high-end gaming equipment, we can level the playing field from a gear and infrastructure perspective, providing greater access to esports for everyone.”

The full article and related coverage can be found here.