DIGNITAS LAUNCHES “_FE” INITIATIVE AND PLATFORM TO CHAMPION AND ADVANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEMALE GAMERS

DIGNITAS LEVERAGES DECADES OF ESPORTS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE TO CREATE A NEW PLATFORM FOR BEGINNER, AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL FEMALE COMPETITORS AND CONTENT CREATORS

LOS ANGELES – AUG. 26, 2020 – Dignitas, the esports vertical of New Meta Entertainment Inc. (NME), has today announced the creation of a new platform, “_FE”, dedicated to championing opportunities and education for females in gaming. Through the new female-focused initiative, Dignitas commits to support the burgeoning female gamer community with educational, social and competitive resources for beginner, amateur and professional female competitors and content creators. Dignitas has played a pivotal role in championing women in esports since its establishment in 2003, notably supporting, signing and promoting its acclaimed, two-time Female World Champion Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) team, now also competing professionally in VALORANT.

To join _FE’s online community or attend the first event, join <a href="https://discord.com/invite/Dignitas" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://discord.com/invite/Dignitas&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNELC2Y_n7HegcuhWTu3rHX0ugFfRQ">Discord.gg/Dignitas and follow @DIG_FE on Twitter or email FE@dignitas.gg.

Over the next three months, _FE will launch a collection of resources designed to advance opportunities for women in gaming and provide aspiring female gamers with the tools to become tomorrow’s superstars. _FE’s platform will include initiatives such as:

Industry Town Halls Addressing Significant Matters Effecting Females in Gaming
A Community Website Devoted to Housing Relevant Female Gaming Content, Including Calendars of Female Gaming Competitions, Resources, Announcements and Media Coverage
Complimentary, Virtual Educational Seminars for Aspiring Professional Female Gamers and Streamers in Content Creation, Social Media and Media Training, Brand Analysis and More
Female and Co-Ed Competitions
Online Social Community Via Discord
Creation of a Female-Focused Gaming-Centric Clothing Line
Live Events at Dignitas’ Headquarters in Los Angeles and Greater New York City
The Signing of New Female Competitors and Creators

The new initiative will be led by Dignitas’ Vice President of Talent, <a href="https://twitter.com/sapphiReGG" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/sapphiReGG&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNEniJgHWUmRDnx_9xyHEqkCujHNkA">Heather “sapphiRe” Garozzo. The former female World Champion CS:GO player boasts nearly 20 years of experience in competitive esports gaming, broadcasting, marketing and talent management and maintains the distinction of being named the only female in the Esports Insider Esports Hall of Fame.

“As a former professional player, broadcaster and now executive, I’ve witnessed the significant growth of females in gaming over my 20 years in the industry,” said Garozzo. “Despite a significant increase in female gamers, streamers and fans, there is still a lack of representation in media, on live streams and in competition. Through our _FE platform, we look forward to building a diverse community of passionate female gamers, and providing educational resources both for casual and competitive gamers and streamers to broaden their reach and expand their brand.”

"Our organization’s efforts to spotlight the incredible women that comprise the esports community has been well-chronicled and has long been a tenant of our brand," said Michael Prindiville, Chief Executive Officer of NME and Dignitas. "On August 26, which is celebrated annually as Women's Equality Day, we take the next step forward by expanding beyond female esports and into the greater gaming space, with a cost-free program that any female gamer can join without conflicts. Through _FE we aim to ensure female gamers have the resources, role models and healthy community to empower themselves and cultivate their passion as competitors and content creators.”

Dignitas’ female dual CS:GO and VALORANT team is captained by two-time Female World Champion CS:GO player <a href="https://twitter.com/EMUHLEET" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/EMUHLEET&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNGj47JlrYfe9jpEgym5fnpClzVVag">Emmalee “EMUHLEET” Garrido, one of the most successful females in esports history. The team also includes <a href="https://twitter.com/rainCSGO" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/rainCSGO&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNEkQNF2NQ5rXPL4TI8trx_kzEbm9g">Amanda “rain” Smith of Edmonton, Canada, <a href="https://twitter.com/BasedGodMilk" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/BasedGodMilk&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNGmx8WMSHB_gPPt-hrwdHl8UsMIug">Kiara “milk” Makua of Hawaii, <a href="https://twitter.com/DEADTheia" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/DEADTheia&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNFWtwHoMH0kc7ilH4BdDsPVvcUesw">Melisa “Theia” Mundorff of Pennsylvania and <a href="https://twitter.com/showliana?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/showliana?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNFdCuO5vfvWw6hbf7Cwz_04PPWamQ">Juliana “showliana” Maransaldi of Sao Paulo, Brazil, while Dignitas' creators roster includes <a href="https://twitter.com/herculysee" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/herculysee&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNErjTnqWiwZnu8rNyZG7MmVrJFo1Q">Elyse "Herculyse" Herrera, a TikTok sensation recording 20,000 new followers per month, and <a href="https://twitter.com/LynnieNoquez" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/LynnieNoquez&source=gmail&ust=1598460744772000&usg=AFQjCNF3o9Cy0kOuuyoQRfYnQGm0NTN5kg">Carolyn “artStar” Noquez, a former CS:GO player who now focuses as a Twitch variety streamer.

“As a young female gamer trying to find my place in the esports community, I didn’t have any females gaming role models to admire,” said Emmalee “EMUHLEET” Garrido. “Gaming has made a significant impact on my life and truly opened the world for me - from the more that 10 countries in which I’ve competed to the teammates from 4 countries and followers from over thirty countries throughout the globe as some of the most important relationships in my life. I’m proud that _FE will provide a platform for my team and I to share what I’ve learned over the years as top female competitors and inspire the next generation of female gamers.”

The new _FE initiative presents a unique opportunity for brands to authentically partner with the fastest-growing, most coveted demographic in gaming. A 2019 Newzoo study found women make up 46 percent of the gaming industry; Momentum Worldwide reported 29 percent of esports fans are women. According to WomenInGames.org, 71 percent of respondents say women aren’t represented enough in esports and gaming. Momentum Worldwide noted 62% of female esports fans do not believe brands market to them. _FE aims to normalize the representation of women in esports and gaming, while providing a gateway for brands dedicated to connecting with the ever-growing segment of the esports and gaming community. Dignitas remains committed to working with brands that are passionate about elevating females in gaming including Verizon, SIG, RESPAWN, Vie.gg, HyperX, Champion and ExpressVPN.

The first _FE virtual event will be a live, digital panel on September 30, 2020 featuring female executives, athletes and creators from the gaming and entertainment spaces; interested attendees should join <a href="https://discord.com/invite/Dignitas" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://discord.com/invite/Dignitas&source=gmail&ust=1598460744773000&usg=AFQjCNG89EKBMj8uZ3QKOUec4heAwQJ7xg">Discord.gg/Dignitas to attend.

Media may <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ozs6eehngr7zqu6/AAAoSiblmb2vGorEadgRe_GWa?dl=0" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ozs6eehngr7zqu6/AAAoSiblmb2vGorEadgRe_GWa?dl=0&source=gmail&ust=1598460744773000&usg=AFQjCNEcMHmIR_Wj5STbCEwHc5z0qzqBfw">CLICK HERE to download photos of _FE personalities.

ABOUT NEW META ENTERTAINMENT, INC. & DIGNITAS:

Since its formation in 2003, Dignitas has established itself as one of the most successful esports organizations in the world, amassing 18 World Championships across multiple game titles. In September 2016, Dignitas was acquired by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a diverse, global portfolio of sports and entertainment franchises and properties that includes the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), New Jersey Devils (NHL) and more. Dignitas is the esports organization within New Meta Entertainment, Inc. (NME), a new media sports and entertainment company founded in May 2019 by an investor group that includes HBSE, Susquehanna International Group and Delaware North, among others. Dignitas currently fields seven teams in five of esports’ largest and most popular games: League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (men’s and women’s teams), VALORANT (men's and women's teams), Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., and Clash Royale. With content studios and player wellness facilities in Greater New York City and Los Angeles, and infrastructure in Europe and China, Dignitas is a global leader dedicated to esports athletes, digital influencers and entertainment game-changers.

Dignitas has been a proud supporter of female esports athletes and content creators throughout its 17-year history. The first professional esports team to partner with Twitch in 2012, Dignitas kickstarted the streaming careers of notable female content creators including PterodactylsFTW, Kat Gunn, Nicki Taylor and thebesttaco. Dignitas fields the only back-to-back women’s CS:GO World Championship Team in history, a squad whose publicity has generated more mainstream media impressions than any female esports team in the industry today. This June, Dignitas launched an internal Diversity and Inclusion Council which included representatives from the front office, content creators and professional players with the goal of promoting diversity, inclusion and equality within Dignitas and to its passionate fanbase.