Dr Pepper returns to esports, sponsors TSM

It's been a while since the Dr Pepper Ultimate Gaming House days.
Photo via [Riot Games](https://www.flickr.com/photos/lolesports/)

Right before the return of the NA LCS, defending champions TSM revealed a major addition to the organization: Dr Pepper as their official soft drink.

Recommended Videos

A big objective for the franchised NA LCS was to increase sponsor participation in a more stable league. For years, teams struggled to expand their sponsor lists outside of those with direct ties to esports. Companies like Twitch, Logitech, and HyperX dominated players’ jerseys. The outlier was TSM, who had insurance company GEICO as a sponsor for years.

Now, TSM has added another partner with extensive history sponsoring traditional sports. Dr Pepper is best known for its support of the College Football Playoff. The drink brand does have prior experience with esports sponsorships, having previously signed a deal with German team Mousesports. And who could forget the old Dr Pepper Ultimate Gaming House?

As ratings of traditional sports wane and fans in those sports age, many companies are turning to esports as a key segment for future growth. Dr Pepper should provide TSM with even more expertise in how to reach that audience.

That doesn’t mean the first commercial between TSM and Dr Pepper wasn’t full of cringe, however. Similar to FlyQuest’s bizarre video spot with new sponsor Snickers, this commercial is all about memeing the League of Legends community.

It’s fun that a brand with so much experience in sponsorships is embracing the silly culture of esports. There’s plenty of meme-worthy content in that short video. But let’s hope that their next commercial is just a little more thought out.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article CEO of former TSM, LCS sponsor FTX sentenced to 25 years in jail
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sporting a TSM jersey.
Read Article Sega of America employees successfully unionize in ‘watershed moment’ for the games industry
Sega of America union AEGIS-CWA logo
Read Article Borderlands developer Gearbox Software sells to Take-Two Interactive for a whole lot of money
Borderlands keyart
Related Content
Read Article CEO of former TSM, LCS sponsor FTX sentenced to 25 years in jail
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sporting a TSM jersey.
Read Article Sega of America employees successfully unionize in ‘watershed moment’ for the games industry
Sega of America union AEGIS-CWA logo
Read Article Borderlands developer Gearbox Software sells to Take-Two Interactive for a whole lot of money
Borderlands keyart
Author
Xing Li
Xing has been covering League of Legends esports since 2015. He loves when teams successfully bait Baron, hates tank metas, and is always down for creative support picks—AP Malphite, anybody?