Red Bull has added VALORANT champion and content creator Tyson “TenZ” Ngo to its competitive gaming lineup, the company announced Tuesday. TenZ joins the Red Bull VALORANT roster alongside Tarik “tarik” Çelik, Melanie “meL” Hoi-San Man and the Sentinels organization.

With a combined following of nearly 11.8 million across social platforms, Ngo emerged as one of VALORANT’s most influential figures as the game’s popularity surged. His poised performances under high stakes helped Sentinels complete an undefeated run at VCT Masters Reykjavik in 2021, marking the first global LAN event in the game’s history and cementing his status as a leading competitor.

After stepping away from professional play at the close of 2024, TenZ has maintained his prominence as a top-ranked Twitch streamer and entrepreneur. He leveraged his esports reputation to launch a line of gaming peripherals, extending his reach into hardware design and consumer products. His continued success in streaming and merchandise reflects a growing trend of pro players who parlay in-game achievements into long-term brand partnerships.

TenZ’s career arc—from Counter-Strike prospect to VALORANT world champion—illustrates the evolving landscape of esports, where performance and personality intersect. His disciplined approach to practice and content creation resonates with a new generation of gamers seeking sustainable careers beyond competition. This philosophy aligns with Red Bull’s strategy to support talent capable of shaping the broader gaming culture.

Born May 5, 2001, in Vancouver, TenZ is 24 years old and holds Canadian citizenship. His precision aiming and calm demeanor have defined his playstyle, earning him recognition among peers and fans alike. As he transitions fully into content creation under Red Bull’s banner, TenZ is poised to influence both competitive circuits and online entertainment for years to come.

Global esports company Team Liquid announced a new partnership with Zenni Optical, naming the leading online retailer as its official eyewear partner.

The partnership marks a shared commitment to protecting eye health in esports while offering fans and players stylish, high-performance eyewear at an accessible price.

As digital competition intensifies and screen time increases, the need for eye care in gaming is growing in importance. This partnership reflects a mutual vision: prioritizing the health and performance of gamers without compromising on style or affordability.

As part of the collaboration, Zenni will release an exclusive Team Liquid eyewear collection, combining Zenni’s innovative frame and lens technologies with Team Liquid’s creative identity. As leaders in the health and performance of esports athletes, Team Liquid’s eyewear collection will focus on reducing gaming-related complications without compromising comfort and style. Fans will also gain access to exclusive discounts, further enhancing the value Zenni brings to the gaming community.

“Our players’ vision is just as critical as their mechanics. Partnering with Zenni lets us elevate both health and performance, while giving our fans access to affordable eyewear that looks and feels great,” said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to bring this partnership to life, both on and off the stage.”

Four Team Liquid stars from its League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and fighting game rosters will lead Team Liquid’s content and messaging — highlighting their favorite frames on stream and across social media, while reinforcing the importance of eye health at every level of competitive gaming.

“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing health, performance, and innovation in the gaming and esports space,” said Robb Chiarini, head of partnerships, licensing, and events at Zenni Optical, in a statement. “Team Liquid is not only a leader in competitive excellence, but also in championing player wellness and long-term sustainability within the industry. We’re proud to support their athletes and fans with products that enhance visual clarity, comfort, and style.”

The partnership announcement will roll out across Team Liquid’s official social channels, with additional content and behind-the-scenes activations to follow throughout the year.

Team Liquid is an esports and gaming organization founded in 2000 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and led by its founder and co-CEO Victor Goossens, and Arhancet. The organization has 96 athletes competing across multiple esports titles, including League of Legends, CounterStrike2, Dota 2, Valorant, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, PUBG: Mobile, and more. It has won more than $54 million in prize money from over 7,000 tournaments throughout its history.

In addition to its premier esports team franchises, Liquid Enterprises operates various business units created to complement its athletic brand. This includes a white-label apparel business, working within the wider entertainment and music industry with musicians like DeadMau5, the world’s most popular esports wiki Liquipedia, and a full-service white-label agency; LiquidMedia with clients such as Riot Games and Nike.

In September 2016, controlling interest in Team Liquid was purchased by esports ownership group, AXiomatic. AXiomatic leadership includes co-executive Chairmen Peter Guber, Ted Leonsis, Jeff Vinik, and Bruce Karsh.

Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zenni offers adults and children the freedom to express their personality through a large collection of high-quality prescription, non-prescription and protective glasses and sunglasses curated with a sense of fashion and dynamic style. With complete prescription pairs starting at under $10, the company has brought massive price disruption to the traditional retail model. It has sold over 51 million frames sold worldwide.

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BANGKOK, June 17, 2025 – (ACN Newswire) – Talon Academy delivered an outstanding performance to claim the winner of RoV, emerging victorious in a historic match at the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament). The event was filled with excitement and enthusiasm from gamers and esports fans from across the country at BEAT Active BITEC BURI.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), stated that the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT, one of the key initiatives under the depa ESPORTS Project, has now reached its Grand Final. Throughout the project, more than 6,500 young participants joined various competitions, including sub-events such as depa ESPORTS IN SCHOOL and depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT which included the Daily Tournament, Influencer Tournament, and Regional Tournament -well surpassing the initial goal of 5,000 participants. depa recognizes the dedication, talent, and potential of all competitors, including their gaming skills, creativity, strategic thinking, teamwork, and sportsmanship. These qualities demonstrate that esports is more than just playing games. It’s a valuable opportunity for learning, development, and growth, both on an individual level and as part of a team.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon further stated that the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT is not merely a stage to crown esports champions, but also a crucial opportunity for Thai youth to showcase their potential, determination, and ambition to pursue careers as professional esports athletes or in other roles within the industry. At the same time, the tournament serves as a source of inspiration for young people with dreams of entering the esports world. It also plays a key role in driving the sustainable growth of Thailand’s esports ecosystem and acts as a small yet significant gear in advancing the country’s digital economy toward true international competitiveness.

The highlight of the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament) was the intense competition in the popular game Arena of Valor (RoV), featuring 16 up-and-coming esports teams representing eight regions across the country, selected from the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Regional Tournament) stage. For the Grand Final, depa and its network of partners transformed the venue into a spectacular esports arena, allowing everyone to experience the thrill and excitement of a competitive atmosphere that closely mirrors international standards. The excitement peaked during the final match, which was broadcasted with live commentary by two of Thailand’s top shoutcasters, BrightO and SunWaltz.

Throughout the competition, each team showcased their capabilities in precise game control, strategic planning, quick decision-making, and effective teamwork under pressure. The team that demonstrated outstanding technical skills and professionalism, rising above the rest, was awarded the championship title of the 2025 depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT. depa sincerely hopes that today’s tournament will serve as a powerful source of inspiration, igniting the dreams of a new generation of youth who are passionate about esports.

The winners of the RoV competition at the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament) are as follows:

– The Winner: Talon Academy – awarded 300,000 THB, a championship trophy, and special prizes from Intel

– 1st Runner-up: Dream – awarded 150,000 THB, a trophy of honor, and special prizes from COM7

– 2nd Runner-up: Hater x Doo White – awarded 50,000 THB, a trophy of honor, and special prizes from COM7

– 3rd Runner-up: Introvert – awarded 20,000 THB and special prizes from COM7

– 5th-8th Place: each team received 10,000 THB

– 9th-15th Place: each team received 5,000 THB

“The concept behind organizing the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT began in 2018, driven by depa’s commitment to challenging negative perceptions surrounding gaming and esports. We firmly believe that ‘kids who play games are not bad kids. With the right support and guidance, they can become world-class athletes or pursue other professional paths in the esports industry, building careers, generating income, and gaining societal recognition. Therefore, the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT is not just a platform to showcase the potential of youth, but a key mechanism for developing the industry, creating opportunities, and reshaping society’s views on esports. It also aims to raise awareness and promote positive attitudes toward esports-related careers, while enhancing the capabilities of Thailand’s esports industry to reach international standards,” said the President and CEO of depa.

The implementation of the depa ESPORTS project has been made possible through strong collaboration with Garena Online (Thailand) Co., Ltd., along with various partner organizations that have helped drive the project’s activities toward success. Those interested can view the list of winning teams from the depa ESPORTS TOURNAMENT (Grand Final Tournament) and stay updated on news and upcoming activities from the depa ESPORTS project by visiting www.depa.or.th , LINE OA: depaThailand, and the Facebook Page: depa Thailand.

Source: Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa Thailand)

Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.

Valley Christian High School’s Rocket League team capped a perfect season with a PlayVS Cup national championship, showcasing faith, teamwork, and esports excellence.

• The Arizona Interscholastic Association has seen significant growth in esports, with over 100 schools participating.

When Chandler Valley Christian High School’s esports Rocket League team began its journey this season, few could have predicted how far it would go.

RubyPlay, an innovative B2B iGaming development studio, has extended its relationship with Lottomatica Group (GBO), one of Italy’s leading gaming operators, by launching its premium slot content with BetFlag.

The collaboration has seen RubyPlay launch an impressive portfolio of over 40 titles onto BetFlag’s platform, marking a major step forward in the studio’s Italian growth strategy.

This move builds upon the provider’s successful launch with Lottomatica.it and GoldBet.it earlier this year, further cementing its position within one of the most influential operator groups in the Italian market.

Players in the country have already shown a positive response to RubyPlay’s engaging content, with standout performers in the latest rollout including Book of 8 Riches, Immortal Ways Buffalo and Diamond Explosion Sweet Love.

Italy continues to be a strategic focus for RubyPlay and the company has rapidly grown its footprint in the region through a series of high-profile operator partnerships in the recent months.

The collaboration with BetFlag further strengthens RubyPlay’s reputation as a leading content supplier to regulated markets across Europe.

BetFlag, founded in 2012 and part of the Lottomatica Group since 2022, is known for its strong market position, innovative approach to online gaming and commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment to Italian players.

Dr Eyal Loz, chief product officer at RubyPlay, said: “Our collaboration with BetFlag marks a dynamic progression in our expansion across Italy. Building on the strong momentum with the Lottomatica Group, this partnership allows us to deliver our most innovative titles to a wider audience. We’re proud to offer BetFlag’s players a curated selection of games that combine immersive design, advanced features and localised appeal, creating standout experiences that go beyond traditional slot play.”

Laviero Saganeiti, business development at BetFlag, added: “RubyPlay’s portfolio brings a fresh and exciting dynamic to our casino offering. Their innovative features and engaging themes have already captured the attention of our players, and we’re looking forward to a successful long-term partnership.”