Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.
At the Nike Sport Research Lab in Beaverton, Ore., two young athletes are put through a gauntlet of tests.
These aren’t NBA rookies with new shoe deals or local university runners; they are esports players from Shanghai. Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao and Zhen-Ning “Ning” Gao are two of the world’s best League of Legends (LoL) players. Riot Games, developer of LoL, holds leagues around the globe. Uzi and Ning, from China’s LoL Pro League (LPL), are in Beaverton so Nike can fulfill a promise it made in a deal with the LPL last February.
Esports players have a shorter average career span than most traditional athletes, according to a study by ESPN.
WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.
Spring Special
Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!
Already a member? Sign in