OverActive Media Set to Acquire KOI & Movistar Riders
OverActive Media, owners of Call of Duty League franchise Toronto Ultra are set to expand their reach into the EMEA markets by acquiring KOI and Movistar Riders. Today, January 4, 2024, OverActive Media executed a letter of intent to acquire both esports organizations to create a global esports powerhouse.
The assets to be acquired by OverActive Media include all KOI esports assets and brands, including social media and intellectual property. In addition to acquiring these assets, OverActive will operate the slot in the VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA League previously operated by KOI, as well as enter into service agreements with top-tier global influencer Ibai Llanos plus former professional footballer and entrepreneur Gerard Piqué
Ibai & Pique Announcing KOI
KOI
Ibai Llanos co-founded KOI and grew it to become one of the biggest brands in Europe while operating the third most-followed channel on Twitch. Gerard Piqué, FIFA World Cup Champion, UEFA EURO Champion and three-time UEFA Champions League Winner who played for teams including FC Barcelona and Manchester United, founded the Kings League in 2022, a twelve-team, seven-a-side football league whose first incarnation began in Barcelona, Spain.
“We are very excited about this new chapter for KOI joining forces with OverActive Media and Movistar Riders,” said Gerard Piqué, Former Professional Footballer and Entrepreneur. “We are convinced they will bring the vision, enthusiasm and talent needed to continue building the project's success story that we started in 2021, consolidating KOI’s leadership position in the global esports industry.”
Once the proposed acquisition is completed, OverActive Media will control the following assets:
- Toronto Ultra - Call of Duty League
- Toronto Defiant - Overwatch Esports
- Mad Lions KOI - League of Legends EMEA Championship
- MAD Lions KOI - League of Legends Women & Non-Binary
- MAD Lions KOI - Valorant Game Changers
- Movistar KOI - Valorant Champions Tour EMEA
- Movistar KOI - CS2
- Movistar KOI - LVP Superliga
- Movistar KOI - Pokemon
- Atletico de Madrid - EA FC
“Adding KOI and Movistar Riders to OverActive will solidify our position in Spain, EMEA and Latin America,” said Adam Adamou, CEO, OverActive. “Both brands are active in complementary esports titles, have industry-leading talent and social influence, top-tier relationships, and related services that bring strong synergies across our combined portfolio of assets. We have spent much time with Ibai, Gerard, Fer, Carlos, Gabriel and their respective teams, and we are all aligned in wanting to make an immediate impact through this combination.”
OverActive Media and Movistar Riders will join forces to optimize the operation of this deal, with Fernando Piquer joining OAM as Chief Strategy Officer, and Carlos García-Acevedo serving as Chief Commercial Officer (EMEA). In addition, Gabriel Saenz de Buruaga, co-founder of Movistar Riders, and Gerard Piqué are expected to join the Company’s board of directors.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to join what I consider to be the most ambitious digital project on the scene these days. It is a privilege to be able to work side by side with professionals of the stature of OverActive Media and KOI, whose reputation and experience in the industry are indisputable,” said Gabriel Saenz de Buruaga, Co-Founder, Movistar Riders. “I firmly believe in the vision and goals of this project, and I am eager to do my bit to help take it to new heights. I am convinced that we can make a significant difference in the digital world."
