Brand Partnerships
Stake names UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as global ambassador
Stake has appointed UFC women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as a global ambassador, with the partnership set to begin in June 2026.
The company said the deal adds Cortez—currently ranked No. 8 at women’s flyweight—to its growing group of UFC athletes and ambassadors. Stake also listed Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Merab Dvalishvili, Caio Borralho and Alexandre Pantoja among its current UFC ambassadors.
Cortez holds a 12-3 record, according to Stake, and rose through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. The company also referenced an 11-fight win streak during her career.
Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, said: “Tracy Cortez is a phenomenal athlete, who we’re really excited to be partnering with in this new ambassadorial role. She has proven herself to be a real contender in the UFC flyweight division already, and as she comes into her prime, Stake is proud to support her journey.
“Tracy’s personality and competitive spirit is something which aligns with our values at Stake – she’s fun, the fans love her, and we’re looking forward to bringing a valuable partnership to MMA fans.”
Stake ambassador Tracy Cortez added: “Partnering with Stake feels like the perfect fit for this chapter of my career. This is a brand at the cutting edge of sports and entertainment, and they value the same grit and authenticity that I bring to every fight.
“I’m ready to engage with my supporters in a whole new way and take this journey to the next level together.”
The post Stake names UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as global ambassador appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brand Partnerships
Stake names UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as global ambassador
Stake has signed UFC women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as a new global ambassador, with the partnership set to begin in June 2026.
The operator said Cortez will join its roster of UFC athletes and ambassadors as part of its broader push in mixed martial arts. Cortez is currently ranked No. 8 in the UFC women’s flyweight division and holds a 12-3 professional record, according to the company.
Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, said: “Tracy Cortez is a phenomenal athlete, who we’re really excited to be partnering with in this new ambassadorial role. She has proven herself to be a real contender in the UFC flyweight division already, and as she comes into her prime, Stake is proud to support her journey.
“Tracy’s personality and competitive spirit is something which aligns with our values at Stake – she’s fun, the fans love her, and we’re looking forward to bringing a valuable partnership to MMA fans.”
Stake ambassador Tracy Cortez added: “Partnering with Stake feels like the perfect fit for this chapter of my career. This is a brand at the cutting edge of sports and entertainment, and they value the same grit and authenticity that I bring to every fight.
“I’m ready to engage with my supporters in a whole new way and take this journey to the next level together.”
Stake said its UFC ambassador roster also includes Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Merab Dvalishvili, Caio Borralho and Alexandre Pantoja, and positioned the Cortez signing as part of its broader sports and entertainment partnership strategy.
The post Stake names UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez as global ambassador appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brand Partnerships
Ronaldinho partners with CreedRoomz on football-themed live casino games
The former Brazil star visited CreedRoomz’ Yerevan studio as the supplier prepares Kickoff Roulette and Marble Cup.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho has partnered with live casino supplier CreedRoomz to develop two football-themed live games, Kickoff Roulette and Marble Cup. The company said the collaboration was officially unveiled in Yerevan, where Ronaldinho visited CreedRoomz’ headquarters and filming studios.
CreedRoomz said Ronaldinho toured the studio floor, met development and production teams, and took part in filming activity intended to integrate his on-screen presence into the live product.
According to the company, Kickoff Roulette is a live roulette title built around a football-stadium presentation and includes Ronaldinho-themed elements such as voiceovers. Marble Cup is positioned as a live game show in a football-themed studio environment, with gameplay designed around fast-paced rounds and betting options.
“It is amazing to be here. The incredible Yerevan energy and the warm welcome at the office have been fantastic. Stepping onto this digital pitch is a thrill because these are totally unique games. I am proud to be the ambassador for these games.” said Ronaldinho during the interview.
CreedRoomz said the timing is designed to align with increased football audience attention around major tournaments, with a focus on engagement and retention. No launch date, operator rollout plan, or market availability details were disclosed.
The post Ronaldinho partners with CreedRoomz on football-themed live casino games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Activision Blizzard
BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships
BLAST, a global leader in competitive entertainment, has officially announced the appointment of Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships. Rossi joins the team at a pivotal moment, following a record-breaking 2025 that saw the company expand its footprint into New York City, Malta, and Mumbai.
With over 20 years of experience in strategic partnerships across sports, media, and gaming, Rossi is set to lead BLAST’s next phase of commercial evolution.
A Proven Leader in Global Commercial Strategy
Rossi’s career is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between iconic intellectual properties and Fortune 100 brands. His previous roles include senior leadership positions at:
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Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.
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National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.
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Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.
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PlayVS: Focusing on the intersection of youth esports and brand engagement.
Based in the newly established New York office, Rossi will oversee BLAST’s global Sponsorship Sales and Partner Management & Activation.
Building on a Record-Breaking 2025
The appointment comes as BLAST continues to scale at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the company delivered:
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15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.
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Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.
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Expanded Portfolio: Continued investment in top-tier titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Brawl Stars.
“BLAST has built a truly premium proposition at the intersection of entertainment, gaming, sport and culture,” said Steve Rossi. “I’m excited to work with the team to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that deliver real value for brands, publishers and fans alike.”
A Strategic Vision for 2026
Leo Matlock, Chief Business Officer at BLAST, emphasized that Rossi’s leadership will be instrumental as the company evolves its partnership offerings. “Steve brings deep experience across esports, sport, media and entertainment. His ability to scale global commercial partnerships makes him the perfect fit for BLAST at this incredibly exciting time.”
As BLAST enters 2026, the focus remains on delivering fan-first experiences and commercially impactful collaborations that maintain BLAST’s position as a pioneer in the competitive gaming space.
Learn More
To stay updated on BLAST’s upcoming arena events and commercial ventures, visit the official BLAST website.
The post BLAST Appoints Industry Veteran Steve Rossi as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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