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.”

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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:

• Activision Blizzard: Where he was instrumental in the commercialization and global expansion of Activision Blizzard Esports.

• National Football League (NFL): Driving integrated sponsorships across the NFL Network and digital platforms.

• Univision Communications: Designing and activating media partnerships across live and linear platforms.

• 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:

• 15 Arena Events staged across eight different countries.

• Broadcasts in 30+ Languages reaching fans in over 100 territories.

• 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.

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