ESL is hands-down one of the biggest names in esports. Growing from a sideshow attraction at trade shows across Europe, it has become a global powerhouse and one of the premier tournament runners in the world. That rapid growth has apparently attracted the eye of at least one big suitor, as a major media group is reportedly interested in buying the esports company.
Modern Times Group (MTG) is a Swedish media company that runs television stations in 10 countries throughout Europe, along many other entertainment services around the globe. According to a report by Breakit.se, it’s close to a deal that would see it take ownership of ESL.
It’s a hot year for ESL, whose ventures into Counter-Strike have seen the game grow massively. Just this week, ESL announced a partnership with North American esports organization ESEA that would see the formation of Counter-Strike:Global Offensive‘s first professional league. ESL also runs the Intel Extreme Masters circuit, which in November threw one of North America’s largest tournaments at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
MTG is also no stranger to esports, and was recently reported to have been in discussion with ESL, Twitch, and Vulcun to broadcast esports on its television channels, though the company denied those reports.
For now, however, both companies are playing their cards close to their chests. If the deal does go through, it will likely be one of the most expensive acquisitions esports has ever seen.
ESL declined to provide a statement on this article, saying it does not comment on “speculations and rumors.”
