Update: Adam Apicella released a lengthy statement on Friday through social media explaining his exit from Esports Engine, and expressing gratitude to the company for his time there before it was acquired by ESL FACEIT Group earlier this month. You can read his entire statement on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Original Story: The Esports Advocate has learned that Esports Engine Co-Founder and President Adam Apicella will be leaving the company. Sources familiar with the situation told TEA on background Thursday that Apicella’s exit was mutually agreed upon and amicable. It is unclear where he plans to go next, as of this writing.
Apicella is a co-founder of the esports production division of Vindex, and most recently served as president. Prior to that, he served as the vice-president of league and event operations at Activision Blizzard and is also best known as a founding employee at esports tournament company Major League Gaming, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016 for $46M USD. Esports Engine works with a number of esports ecosystems including League of Legends Esports and Call of Duty League, among others.
Vindex issued a statement Thursday afternoon to TEA confirming the news: “Adam Apicella has departed Vindex. Adam has been a valued leader of the Esports Engine team and has helped build one of the best global esports solutions companies. We look forward to continuing to bring innovative gaming experiences to players and fans around the world as we expand our capabilities in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group.”
Vindex, along with its subsidiaries Esports Engine and Vindex Intelligence Platform, were acquired by tournament organizer ESL FACEIT Group on March 1, for an undisclosed amount of money. Vindex’s esports venue company Belong Gaming Arenas was not part of the deal and has been spun off as a separate company. ESL FACEIT Group is owned by Savvy Games Group, a company owned by the Saudi government-backed Public Investment Fund, or PIF.
