Panathinaikos create eSports team; Gilberto Silva leaves Sporting Director role by mutual consent

Superleague Greece side, Panathinaikos, has become the 21st football team to join the eSports revolution by forming a team that will initially compete in League of Legends matches, and former star Gilberto Silva leaves his role as Sporting Director by mutual consent.

The world of professional physical and digital sport got a little cosier this week as the Superleague Greece side Panathinaikos became the latest pro team to create an eSports division.

The oldest team in Greek football history reached out to their fans via social media to ascertain what eSports titles they would like to see their side compete in. The feedback included the obvious (FIFA17), the popular (NBA2K), and all the old favourites: League of Legends (LOL), Starcraft, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO). The new eSports side will begin life competing in professional LOL events.

Club President, Dimitris Baltakos, pointed to the rise in the digital environment as both ‘entertainment’ and a ‘career’ as the reason for his club to get involved in the action. Quite simply, it’s where the Millennials eyeballs are currently focused.