eSports: Warriors answer the call of duty

Tigereye versus King V playing League of Legends at the eSports national Gaming Championship grand final. Photo / Photosport.

The Warriors have entered the eSports realm with six players taking on ambassador roles for six teams competing in the LPL2 Call of Duty Infinite Warfare Premiership in Auckland.

Starting today, NRL stars Ben Matulino, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sam Lisone, Albert Vete, Jazz Tevaga and Ata Hingano will work closely alongside New Zealand's top Call of Duty teams in a six-week tournament culminating in a grand final at Sky City Theatre on December 21.

The Warriors are no strangers to the Call of Duty franchise, playing the game in their downtime and when they're on the road for away matches.

The club is looking to build a bridge between traditional sports and eSports and engage with a millennial audience that may not follow traditional media.

The eSports Premiership will be the first Infinite Warfare tournament to be televised in the world.

Twenty-five New Zealand teams competed in qualifiers for the six available spots with the final teams including top players from the Call of Duty World Series.

The deciding clash will feature the winning teams as well as a curtain-raiser involving two Warriors teams playing Call of Duty.

The Warriors players will coach their respective team sharing their knowledge on teamwork, fitness, and developing a winning mindset.

The Warriors join a growing trend of major sports franchises getting involved with eSports, with English Premier League outfit Manchester United, the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, FC Schalke 04 and Valencia having already established their position in the market.

LPL Call of Duty Infinite Warfare Premiership in association with Logitech G and Twitch Roster:
- Ben Matulino - Slicer
- Jazz Tevaga - Beyond
- Ata Hingano - Incept Gaming
- Albert Vete - Crucial
- Sam Lisone - 7- seas
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Astonish