How the NFL is targeting mobile gaming & esports with Skillz partnership
The NFL has launched their latest endeavor, a partnership with the mobile gaming platform Skillz. The goal in mind? To create a “future mobile esport” by hosting a global game developer challenge.
Through a crowdsourcing initiative, developers will get the chance to create their very own NFL-themed mobile game. The best part? Contest winners will have the cache of attaching the NFL brand to their title.
On working with Skillz, the @NFL notes “mobile gaming continues to be an important platform to reach and engage new and existing fans.” Read more in this feature by @TheStreet! https://t.co/xQ9pS5qre1
— Skillz (@skillz) February 4, 2021
This challenge will launch officially in Q2 of 2021 and is open to any football-related title, with the exception of 11 v. 11 simulated games (which already has an official license to EA Sports for the popular Madden game. This opportunity is a first for the NFL – typically, independent developers’ chances of partnering with the NFL are slim. Creating an opportunity for developers of all sizes, the NFL is providing an innovative way of expanding the playing field for creative communities.
According to Rachel Hoagland, NFL VP of Gaming & Esports, “mobile gaming continues to be an important platform to reach and engage new and existing fans.”
By making an effort to shift into the mobile gaming market, the NFL is opening itself up to a plethora of new revenue streams, while simultaneously tapping into the Gen-Z demo that esports commands. We will report back on the contest results and look forward to gauging the impacts on the league and the NFL community.