Compliance with various jurisdictions’ data collection, privacy, consumer protection, and advertising regulations can be especially cumbersome for businesses in experiential industries like esports, whose effectiveness hinges on personalization and tailored appeals. To avoid hefty fines, legal battles, and damage to their reputation, brands must ensure that their marketing strategies comply with local laws against misleading […]
Compliance with various jurisdictions’ data collection, privacy,
consumer protection, and advertising regulations can be especially
cumbersome for businesses in experiential industries like esports,
whose effectiveness hinges on personalization and tailored
appeals.
To avoid hefty fines, legal battles, and damage to their
reputation, brands must ensure that their marketing strategies
comply with local laws against misleading or deceptive advertising
claims that could lead to regulatory scrutiny. Additionally,
consumer protection laws mandate transparency and fairness in
transactions, which requires meticulous attention to detail in
promotional campaigns and product offerings.
The innovative nature of the esports industry means that new IP
challenges constantly arise. Virtual goods and skins, unique to the
digital gaming environment, represent novel IP elements that
require protection. Companies should consider engaging with an
attorney specializing in Esports and video game IP to develop
strategies that streamline the monetization of their assets while
protecting them from unauthorized use. A Web3 lawyer can apply
adaptive, comprehensive, and forward-thinking tactics that
safeguard their clients’ interests and reduce their risk
exposure:
These legal professionals can be relied on to draft smart
contracts, automate compliance responsibilities, and more. Their
understanding of blockchain technology allows them to implement
anti-counterfeiting measures, safeguarding revenue streams.
Players’ likeness and personal rights introduce another
layer of complexity. High-profile players are integral to an
esports brand, and their images, signatures, and in-game moves are
valuable IP assets.
Intellectual Property
Beyond reputation management, brands must prioritize ethical and
social responsibility. The esports audience, particularly younger
demographics, is increasingly conscious of a company’s values
and actions. Issues such as fair player treatment, diversity and
inclusion, and environmental sustainability are under the
spotlight. A strong ethical framework is crucial to building trust
and loyalty among consumers.
Effective licensing agreements are indispensable for preventing
unauthorized use and distribution, requiring detailed provisions
regarding granted rights, permitted uses, and licensee obligations. Esports lawyers who
understand Web3 concepts can conduct due diligence on potential
partners, essential for maintaining robust quality control measures
and upholding brand integrity and reputation.
Contracts must be meticulously drafted to clarify the scope of
collaboration, geographical limitations, and financial terms,
preventing disputes and ensuring adherence to quality standards.
Plotting a course through the complex network of international,
national, and local laws often require specialized legal counsel to
avoid noncompliance penalties and civil and criminal liability
exposure.
The future of esports branding lies in the hands of those who
can adeptly balance the demands of innovation, legal compliance,
and social responsibility. As the industry evolves, so must the
strategies employed to build and protect these digital-age brands,
ensuring their continued relevance and success in the
ever-expanding world of competitive gaming.
Merchandising, marketing, and sales collaborations are essential
for esports companies to monetize their brands and expand their
reach.
Blockchain-based IP Registration to
create immutable creation and ownership records
NFT Commercialization ofin-game items, moments, or
player cards
IP Asset Tokenization to facilitate
fractional ownership, profit-sharing, or fan engagement
DAO Structuring to establish
community-owned esports teams or leagues
Smart Contract Auditing to ensure
they accurately reflect intended IP rights and obligations
Metaverse Strategies for enforcing
rights and commercializing IP usage in virtual worlds
Infringement Recourse, including
cease-and-desist letters, takedown orders, and litigation
Dispute Resolution through
decentralized arbitration
Smart Licensing Systems that
automatically track royalty distributions over the blockchain
Licensing and Merchandising
Copyright issues also play a significant role, particularly
concerning game streams and broadcasts. Esports companies often
rely on game footage and replays to promote themselves. Ensuring
users comply with copyright laws is essential to avoid infringement
claims. Licensing agreements with game developers and publishers
become vital as they dictate the terms for using game content for
promotional and commercial purposes.
Moreover, the digital nature of esports means that copyright
infringement can occur easily and on a large scale, making
vigilance and swift legal action necessary.
Given these myriad challenges, esports stakeholders should
consult an attorney with expertise in regulatory compliance early
in the brand-building process. Legal counsel can provide strategic
advice to ensure that all branding activities align with relevant
laws, draft and review contracts to include necessary compliance
clauses, and offer guidance on implementing robust data protection
measures. Regular consultations with an attorney can help
anticipate and mitigate potential legal issues, ensuring that the
brand not only thrives but also sustains its equity in a legally
sound manner. By integrating legal oversight into their strategic
planning, esports brands can navigate the regulatory landscape
effectively, fostering trust and loyalty among their audience while
safeguarding their business interests.
Gamma Lawis a
San Francisco-based Web3 firm supporting select clients in complex
and cutting-edge business sectors. We provide our clients with the
legal counsel and representation they need to succeed in dynamic
business environments, push the boundaries of innovation, and
achieve their business objectives, both in the U.S. and
internationally.Contact ustoday
to discuss your business needs.
Building and protecting a strong brand identity has emerged as a
critical factor that can make or break an esports business’s
success. As the professional video gaming industry expands at an
unprecedented pace, attracting millions of enthusiastic fans and
substantial investments, esports organizations face the challenge
of distinguishing themselves in an increasingly crowded
marketplace. The significance of branding in this context cannot be
overstated; it serves as the foundation upon which esports
companies build their identity, reputation, and marketability. A
strong brand helps a company stand out, creating a lasting
connection with its audience, fostering loyalty, and driving
engagement in a space where attention is a prized commodity.
Regulatory Compliance
As the esports industry continues to mature, the importance of
robust brand-building and protection strategies will only increase.
Organizations that anticipate and respond to changes in the legal
and regulatory structure will be well-positioned to thrive. By
combining legal insight, technological innovation, and ethical
leadership, esports brands can build resilient identities that
resonate with their audiences.
Considering the vast amount of personal data collected from fans
and players to analyze performance and create memorable
interactions, organizations must adopt robust protocols for
collecting, storing, mobilizing, and destroying information when it
is no longer needed. The General Data Protection Regulation in
Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act in the United States
mandate rigorous procedures that must be followed. Beyond these,
esports organizations must be mindful of anti-money laundering
regulations, especially when dealing with sponsorships, prize
money, financing, and merchandising initiatives. Noncompliance with
AML laws can trigger investigations that disrupt operations and
cash flow.
Esports’ public, interactive business model exposes brands
to heightened scrutiny. Online platforms amplify the reach of both
positive and negative sentiment, making reputation management
paramount. Defamatory statements by players, fans, or rival
organizations can rapidly erode brand value. Proactive measures,
such as robust media monitoring and crisis management plans, are
essential to mitigate potential damage.
By understanding and taking the initiative to control these
multifaceted legal issues, esports companies can safeguard their
brands, unlock new growth opportunities, and build brands that
stand the test of time.
Inclusion, Ethics, and Social Responsibility
IP is central to brand-building activities, shaping the
strategies and resources companies can leverage to protect their
assets. Trademarks may be the most visible IP element in esports.
Team names, logos, and slogans are critical for distinguishing
companies in a crowded market. Proper registration and enforcement
of trademarks prevent unauthorized use and protect the brand’s
identity. However, this process can be complicated by the
international nature of esports, requiring companies to secure
trademark protection in multiple jurisdictions, each with unique
legal standards and procedures.
Conclusion
The path to effective brand-building in esports is fraught with
potential legal pitfalls, particularly those dealing with
trademarks, copyrights, and publicity rights, while adapting to the
nebulous digital gaming broader set of risks. Regulatory
compliance, data privacy and security, player relations, ethical
considerations, financial management, market positioning, audience
engagement, and technological adaptation pose significant
challenges. Failure to address these issues invites potentially
costly legal disputes and reputational damage.
A Web3 lawyer specializing in esports can employ several
strategies and services to protect their clients’ intellectual
property (IP) interests and mitigate IP-related risks. Here are
some key approaches:
The proliferation of esports platforms and teams has inundated
players and audiences with choices. Given this noisy environment,
effective branding becomes the key differentiator for attracting
talent, fans, and business partners. A well-crafted brand identity
communicates a company’s values, vision, and unique selling
propositions, helping it carve out a distinct niche in the minds of
consumers. This is particularly crucial in esports, where fans
often form strong emotional connections with teams and players,
much like in traditional sports. By developing a compelling brand
narrative, esports organizations can create a sense of belonging
and community among their followers, turning casual viewers into
dedicated fans.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
IR boys’ volleyball beats Smyrna for sixth straight win | Sports
Head coach Mike Markovic is very pleased with the performance of his IRHS boys’ volleyball team. The Indians emerged from spring break with their sixth straight win, 3-0, over visiting Henlopen Conference rival Smyrna on Tuesday, April 29. Indian River improved its record to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play after winning in straight […]
Head coach Mike Markovic is very pleased with the performance of his IRHS boys’ volleyball team.
The Indians emerged from spring break with their sixth straight win, 3-0, over visiting Henlopen Conference rival Smyrna on Tuesday, April 29.
Indian River improved its record to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play after winning in straight sets by the scores of 25-17 twice and 25-18 once.
“Our overall team defense is much better than last year,” said Markovic, who is in his second season as the squad’s bench boss. “We have three or four strong hitters who can consistently hit winners. And, our upperclassmen have provided steady leadership. We have also proven that we can win close matches.”
This year’s team’s strengths are setting, strong outside hitters, and good overall defense, said Markovic, who is assisted by Jay Clark and Chad Zook.
“Our serving was very inconsistent earlier in the season, but has improved recently,” he said. “Service receive, blocking, and out of system play are areas where we can improve.”
The Indians play their last five games through May 7. “One game is against undefeated Caesar Rodney, who beat us earlier this season at their gym,” he said. “We also have an important match against our nearby rival, Cape Henlopen. Winning a majority of these matches is critical to qualifying for the state playoff championship, having a low seed, and hosting a first round match.”
Beach volleyball tournaments spike tourism in Gulf Shores
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WPMI) — Baldwin County beach tourism is getting a boost between the busy spring break and summer seasons. Gulf Shores is once again hosting the NCAA beach volleyball championship. The tournament gets underway on Friday. There are 16 NCAA Division 1 teams competing for the top spot. It was set to be […]
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WPMI) — Baldwin County beach tourism is getting a boost between the busy spring break and summer seasons. Gulf Shores is once again hosting the NCAA beach volleyball championship. The tournament gets underway on Friday. There are 16 NCAA Division 1 teams competing for the top spot. It was set to be played in Huntington Beach, California this year and next year, but the event returned to Alabama due to devastating wildfires. It will be played in Gulf Shores through 2031.
“We’ve been fortunate to have the beach volleyball national championship since its inception in 2016,” said Gulf Shores spokesman Grant Brown.
Gulf Shores has become a hot spot for hosting beach volleyball. Two weeks ago, the AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championship played there, and right now, junior nationals are in town competing next to the NCAA national championship. It’s not just volleyball, the state track championship is going on right now and next week Gulf Shores will host 56 teams in the regional softball Championship. These sports tourism events increasingly bridge the gap between busy times.
“This whole tourism world is changing. People have the opportunity to really come at different times of the year. So our bell curve, which used to be flat, and then really big in the summer, and then really bad in the winter, it’s flattening out like crazy,” said Brown.
“It means the workforce is stabilized, businesses stay healthy, and those are all very important things to our economy,” said Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism President and CEO Beth Gendler.
Gendler says inventory has grown leaps and bounds in the last two years with more than 1,000 new rental units being built at the beach. She says they’ve started the year strong and bookings through summer are on pace to match last year, even as the nation faces troubling economic news.
“They can come here, and they can stay in any number of accommodations. So, they can glamp in the Gulf State Park. They can stay in a hotel. They can stay in a condo. They can stay in a beach house so they’re able to share expenses with family members or multi-generational or friends, and so it makes our destination a perfect destination in those economic uncertain times,” said Gendler.
Starting Friday, you can go watch tournament games in person. Tickets start at $35. You can also watch at home. Every match will stream live on ESPN2, except for the national championship, which will air on ESPN. Saturday night Wes Loper performs on the town green in Gulf Shores for a free concert.
This week, Alabama announced tourists spent a record breaking $23.9 billion last year in the state. That’s more than double what was spent in 2014, according to the state tourism department. The lodging tax revenue generated $88 million for the state’s general fund . Without it, each household in Alabama would have to pay an additional $700 in taxes to maintain current services, according to tourism officials.
De Luca Completes Incoming Class – Stanford Cardinal
STANFORD, Calif. – Dunlevie Family Director of Women’s Water Polo John Tanner has announced the signing of Cecilia De Luca (Long Beach, Calif.), who will join the Cardinal for its 2026 campaign. De Luca completes a five-member class that also includes November signees Lucy Haaland-Ford (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Addison Parrish (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Natalia Szczerba (Palo […]
STANFORD, Calif. – Dunlevie Family Director of Women’s Water Polo John Tanner has announced the signing of Cecilia De Luca (Long Beach, Calif.), who will join the Cardinal for its 2026 campaign.
De Luca completes a five-member class that also includes November signees Lucy Haaland-Ford (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Addison Parrish (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Natalia Szczerba (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Reagan Weir (Newport Beach, Calif.).
Cecilia De Luca • Long Beach, Calif. • Woodrow Wilson HS Legacy Water Polo Club • Utility
Quick Profile: Began high school water polo career at Los Alamitos High School before transferring to Woodrow Wilson High School as a junior … competes for the Legacy Water Polo Club program … Second-Team All-American for Junior Olympics as a sophomore playing for Los Alamitos Club and was also named Honorable Mention as a junior … member of ODP Academy who traveled to Greece and Hungary for training trips.
Outside the Pool: President of her school’s Slam Poetry Club … volunteers as a coach for her former water polo club’s 14U team and participates in local beach clean-ups … spending time with family and friends (has five siblings, including two younger sisters).
Why Stanford?: “I chose Stanford because it offers an amazing combination of elite academics and a championship-level water polo program. My mom played at Stanford and was also coached by John Tanner and Susan Ortwein, so being part of that legacy makes it feel even more special. I can’t wait to be a part of the Stanford team.”
Coach Tanner says: “Cici is a multi-position player who stresses opponents throughout the pool. She is dangerous in transition, on the perimeter, attacking the goal and with her back to the goal. Cici’s no-nonsense determination and resolve make her a go-to player in multiple roles and big moments. That willingness to accept and rise to challenges, along with an enthusiasm for Stanford, will make Cici a significant contributor to our team and program.”
Image credit: Aaron Judge (Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) With the calendar flipped to May, we’re rounding up select category leaders for MLB players and those in the full-season minor leagues for the first month of the season. Actually, the sample encompasses some March games, so it’s really Opening Day through April […]
Image credit:
Aaron Judge (Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With the calendar flipped to May, we’re rounding up select category leaders for MLB players and those in the full-season minor leagues for the first month of the season. Actually, the sample encompasses some March games, so it’s really Opening Day through April 30.
Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is an easy choice for MLB player of the month after leading all players in home runs (10) and all three triple-slash categories.
Diamondbacks No. 1 prospect Jordan Lawlar topped all minor leaguers with 43 hits, 34 runs and 78 total bases while playing for Triple-A Reno. He started games at second base, third base and shortstop.
To qualify for rate categories, major league batters must have 3.1 plate appearances per team game. Minor leaguers require 2.7 PAs per team game.
Minors 21 Jordan Lawlar, Triple-A Reno (ARI); Otto Kemp, Triple-A Lehigh Valley (PHI)
MLB 50 Aaron Judge (NYY)
Minors 43 Jordan Lawlar, Triple-A Reno (ARI)
MLB 43 Ryan McMahon (COL)
Minors 46 James Outman, Triple-A Oklahoma City (LAD)
Now, we move on to pitching categories.
While not exactly news, Brewers prospect righthander Jacob Misiorowski is hard to hit! He allowed the lowest opponent average (.141), OPS (.453) and ERA (1.82) while pitching for Triple-A Nashville.
To qualify for rate categories, major league pitchers must have 1.0 innings per team game. Minor leaguers require 0.8 innings per team game.
MLB .154 Carlos Rodon (NYY)
Minors .141 Jacob Misiorowski, Triple-A Nashville (MIL)
MLB 1.06 Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)
Minors 1.82 Jacob Misiorowski, Triple-A Nashville (MIL)
Beach Volleyball Has Three Named to 2025 All-Big West Team
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IRVINE, Calif. – CSUN Beach Volleyball had three student-athletes named to the 2025 All-Big West Beach Volleyball Team as announced by the conference office on Thursday, May 1. Senior Tia Mendiola, freshman Dylan Hall, and fellow freshman Hannah Heflin were each named Honorable Mention All-Big West. Both Hall and Heflin were also […]
IRVINE, Calif. – CSUN Beach Volleyball had three student-athletes named to the 2025 All-Big West Beach Volleyball Team as announced by the conference office on Thursday, May 1. Senior Tia Mendiola, freshman Dylan Hall, and fellow freshman Hannah Heflin were each named Honorable Mention All-Big West. Both Hall and Heflin were also named to the six-member All-Freshman Team.
New in 2025, the All-Big West Teams are composed of individual players rather than pairs, with 20 student-athletes on the first and second teams and a six-member All-Freshman team. All seven programs have at least one honoree dotting the listings. Big West Champion Long Beach State swept the individual awards.
After pairing up for the first time against Utah on Mar. 7, Hall and Heflin went on to lead all CSUN pairs with an 18-7 overall record. The duo finished 5-5 playing at the No. 3 position, 9-2 at No. 5, and 4-0 at No. 5. After debuting with a straight-set win over the Utes on the No. 4 court, Hall and Heflin went on the win their first nine matches. The pair ultimately went on to win 15 of their first 17 matches before finishing the season 18-7. With 18 wins, the duo ranks tied for third for most wins in a single season in program history.
Individually, Heflin won a CSUN single-season record 23 times in 2025. She won 18 times with Hall, three times paired with Morgan Gillinger, once with both Sophia Jarosz and Maleya Miles. Hall finished her first season with 20 wins, which ranks fifth for a single season in Matador history.
After an injury-shortened 2024 season, Mendiola came back to win 19 times during her senior season. Paired with Julia Bazylevych, the duo won 16 times, which ranked third on the Matadors. Mendiola finished the season 9-14 playing on the No. 2 court, 7-1 at No. 3, 1-1 at No. 4, and 2-0 at No. 5. In addition to her 16-13 record with Bazylevych, Mendiola finished 3-3 with Ainsley Patrick (0-2 at No. 2, 3-1 at No. 3).
“Always stoked when we receive All-Big West honors,” said CSUN head coach Ari Homayun. “I think the addition of the All-Freshman Team has been great. Coming into a program and immediately making an impact is beyond impressive, and I’m glad Hannah and Dylan were recognized for the hard work they put in this season.”
CSUN has now had 27 beach volleyball players earn All-Big West honors since 2016, the first season the conference began sponsoring beach volleyball.
The Matadors have had multiple pairs earn All-Big West honors in two of the last three seasons. In 2024, Gabriela Griego and MayaMay Brown earned second-team honors. In 2023, Griego and Abbey Sweeting earned second-team honors, while Lauren Eknoian and Tasha Mae were named honorable mention. The pairs of Kailey Klein and Victoria Rogers and Eknoian and Emily Sparks each earned honorable mention honors in 2022.
Darbi Honeycutt and Mikaela Maughan earned honorable mention honors in 2021, while Taylor Brydon and Lauren McMurray (honorable mention) joined Honeycutt and Maughan on the 2020 All-Big West Team. Katie Sato and Aeryn Owens earned second-team honors in 2018, while Sato also earned honorable mention honors with Lauren Conati in 2016. Maddie Leiphardt and Nicki Williams also picked up second-team accolades in 2017, while Leiphardt and Julie Haake were the Matadors’ first-ever second-team recipients in 2016.
CSUN finished the 2025 season with a program record 18 wins, reaching the semifinals of the 2025 Big West Beach Championship, where the Matadors fell to Cal Poly to cap an 18-17 season.
No. 16 Sandy Mocs Set for NCAA Tournament Clash with No. 1 UCLA
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CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga beach volleyball program is set to hit national television on Friday, May 2 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as the No. 16 seeded Sandy Mocs will open their 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament by taking on No. 1 seeded UCLA at Gulf Beach Place. Friday’s […]
CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga beach volleyball program is set to hit national television on Friday, May 2 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as the No. 16 seeded Sandy Mocs will open their 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament by taking on No. 1 seeded UCLA at Gulf Beach Place.
Friday’s match, which will feature the back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference champion Mocs (26-5, 10-0 OVC), will have wraparound coverage available to stream via ESPN2 or ESPN+. Each court will also have its own separate stream available on ESPN+ and those links are available below.
This marks the second consecutive year that Chattanooga has reached the grandest stage of them all, having competed in the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament back in 2024.
ESPN Coverage Links
ESPN2 Full Coverage: STREAM HERE
Court 1 ESPN+: STREAM HERE
Court 2 ESPN+: STREAM HERE
Court 3 ESPN+: STREAM HERE
Court 4 ESPN+: STREAM HERE
Court 5 ESPN+: STREAM HERE
2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships – May 2-4
Gulf Beach Place
Gulf Shores, Ala. (Hosted by UAB)
Friday, May 2
Match 1 – 9 AM ET (8 AM CT) – #4 Loyola Marymount (CA) vs. #12 FAU
Match 2 – 10 AM ET (9 AM CT) – #5 USC vs. #12 North Florida
Match 3 – 11 AM ET (10 AM CT) – #1 UCLA vs. #16 Chattanooga
Match 4 – 12 PM ET (11 AM CT) – #8 Florida State vs. #9 Long Beach State
Match 5 – 1 PM ET (12 PM CT) – #2 TCU vs. #15 Georgia State
Match 6 – 2 PM ET (1 PM CT) – #7 Texas vs. #10 California
Match 7 – 3 PM ET (2 PM CT) – #3 Stanford vs. #14 Boise State
Match 8 – 4 PM ET (3 PM CT) – #6 Cal Poly vs. #11 LSU
FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA BEACH VOLLEYBALL
For the most up-to-date information regarding Chattanooga Beach Volleyball, please follow us on Twitter (@GoMocsBeachVB), Instagram (@GoMocsBeachVB) & Facebook (Chattanooga Athletics Department) or visit GoMocs.com.
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
Individually, Heflin won a CSUN single-season record 23 times in 2025. She won 18 times with Hall, three times paired with Morgan Gillinger, once with both Sophia Jarosz and Maleya Miles. Hall finished her first season with 20 wins, which ranks fifth for a single season in Matador history.
Stephen A. reacts to Green’s comments on past NBA eras | First Take
