eSports
EXCEL ESPORTS recruits FC Schalke 04 Esports’ Tim Reichert as new Esports Director
Reichert brings over 20+ years of extensive experience across esports and sports performance management marking EXCEL ESPORTS’ commitment to the competitive success of all of its rosters.
British competitive gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS is pleased to announce Tim Reichert has been appointed as its new Esports Director as the brand looks to elevate its competitive ambitions. A true industry heavyweight Tim joins EXCEL following over five years at German-based esports organisation, FC Schalke 04 Esports, where he oversaw the successful growth and development of its esports rosters.
Tim burst onto the esports scene in 1997 after co-founding esports organisation SK Gaming alongside his brothers, Ralf and Benjamin Reichert. SK Gaming has gone on to become a European powerhouse creating lasting legacies in multiple gaming titles. Tim then turned to his second passion in life, sports, where he became a professional footballer playing for the likes of Rot-Weiss Oberhausen. After nine successful years in football, Tim completed a five-year stint as a client consultant at the biggest media company in Germany, Mediacom & GroupM.
In his most recent role, Tim utilised his knowledge and experience from esports and traditional sports to become Head of Esports at FC Schalke 04 Esports. During his time at the organisation, Tim oversaw the success of its League of Legends team’s which included five appearances in the prestigious League of Legends European Championship playoffs and top place final finishes in 2018 and 2019.
As Esports Director Tim will focus on driving the overall success strategy across all of EXCEL’s competitive rosters and talent. This includes ensuring the players mental and physical health, education, data, personal development, living conditions and access to top tier training facilities are at the forefront of importance.
The appointment of Tim follows the recent growth of EXCEL’s competitive rosters, the expansion of its talent and leadership team as well as a successful €20M investment round. EXCEL recently completed the biggest FIFA transfer ever, signing FIFA professional Tom ‘Tom’ Leese. The growth signifies EXCEL’s commitment and ambitions to field players in the biggest and best esports in the world.
Tim Reichert, Esports Director at EXCEL ESPORTS comments: “I am excited to be joining the EXCEL team as the new Esports Director bringing extensive experience from two top tier esports organisations. EXCEL’s unique positioning as one of the strongest economies in Europe with its strong management team and support network makes it very well prepared for the future and the opportunities to recruit top tier talent are endless. I believe EXCEL’s leadership team and I share a similar competitive vision and I look forward to ensuring EXCEL continues to strive forward and develop its players to compete on the biggest stages in the world.”
Wouter Sleijffers, CEO of EXCEL ESPORTS comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Tim joining EXCEL’s senior management team. Whilst EXCEL ESPORTS is rapidly expanding to become a global force out of Britain, clearly, we need to level up to compete with the world’s best. Tim brings a wealth of experience across both esports and sports industries, and we believe Tim is the perfect person to take us to the global top and support our competitive talent in their careers. With all that Tim has to bring, I look forward to working with him to build on our continued success.”
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data providers
DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026
DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.
The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.
Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.
DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.
“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.
The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
energy drinks
Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier
Multi-year deal adds Laboratoires Gilbert’s new brand to jerseys across CS2, VALORANT, Rocket League and LoL teams ahead of a September 2026 launch.
Team Vitality has signed a multi-year partnership with FYZIO, naming the brand its new official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier. FYZIO is a sports nutrition and hydration brand developed by Laboratoires Gilbert, a French healthcare company established in 1904.
The partnership will put FYZIO branding on the left sleeve of Team Vitality’s official jerseys for several flagship rosters, including CS2, VALORANT (VCT), Rocket League, and League of Legends teams across the LEC, LFL, and Rising Bees. FYZIO will also support Team Vitality teams competing in Teamfight Tactics, Tekken, and Trackmania.
FYZIO is scheduled to launch in September 2026. Team Vitality said the brand will supply products intended to support areas including hydration, fatigue and stress reduction, concentration and memory, and sleep quality.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with FYZIO and proud to support the launch of this ambitious new brand from the French group, Laboratoires Gilbert. By integrating its specialised nutrition products into our teams’ routines, we are further strengthening our commitment to high-performance excellence,” comments Vas Roberts, Co-CEO of Team Vitality.
“For more than 120 years, Laboratoires Gilbert has been developing solutions dedicated to health and well-being. With FYZIO, we are bringing this expertise to a new ambition: helping everyone achieve their goals, whatever they may be, through a modern, accessible, and responsible approach to sports nutrition. Our partnership with Team Vitality reflects this shared vision of progress, high standards, and sustainable performance. Your performance, our nature“, explains Cédric Batteur, Chairman & CEO, Laboratoires Gilbert.
The post Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
McDonald’s Germany signs on as presenting partner for G2 NORD and G2 Hel
McDonald’s Germany has partnered with G2 as presenting partner of G2 NORD, the organisation’s League of Legends academy team competing in Germany’s Prime League. The deal also includes support for the return of G2 Hel, G2’s women’s League of Legends team.
Under the agreement, McDonald’s Germany branding, including the “ich liebe es” (I’m lovin’ it) tagline, will appear on G2 NORD and G2 Hel jerseys. The partners also plan a year-long content programme focused on player storytelling and behind-the-scenes access, including a series featuring team president Niklot “Tolkin” Stüber.
G2 positioned the partnership around its regional development pathway. G2 NORD was formed earlier this year through a collaboration between G2 and NORD Esports, and the organisation said the roster has already won the Prime League Winter Snowdown and reached the playoffs in its first EMEA Masters run.
The company said McDonald’s Germany’s backing enables G2 Hel’s return, with the team set to compete in the upcoming Game Changers circuit. “This partnership goes beyond traditional sponsorship, it’s a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of talent development and creating meaningful opportunities within the space,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. Stijn Mentrop-Huliselan, CMO of McDonald’s Germany, added: “We’re proud to support G2 Nord and to celebrate the return of G2 Hel – a strong signal for equity, visibility and inclusion in esports.”
To launch the collaboration, McDonald’s and G2 released an announcement video featuring Jankos, Sola, Tolkin, Team Nord and Caltys, produced in-house by G2. McDonald’s Germany said its lead agency Scholz & Friends supported the development and execution of the partnership.
The post McDonald’s Germany signs on as presenting partner for G2 NORD and G2 Hel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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