International esports organization Team Liquid announced Wednesday a strategic partnership with Mysten Labs, a web3 infrastructure company and “original contributor” to the layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform, Sui.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Under the terms of this new partnership, Team Liquid will utilize the Sui gaming ecosystem to revamp and improve its fan engagement platform, Liquid+. This, the company says, will enable additional features including digital collectibles that fans will “fully own” to do things like outfit the gamified Team Liquid avatar Blue (the company’s official mascot). These digital collectibles will also unlock “additional rewards and new experiences,” according to a release.
“Real fandom doesn’t happen in a single moment,” said Team Liquid President and COO Claire Hungate. “It needs to be nurtured and sustained through experiences that strengthen the tether between team and fan. Team Liquid has always been a pioneer in esports fandom, and our partnership with Mysten Labs and incorporation of Sui is a testament to that spirit of innovation. This partnership enables us to offer fans new experiences and exclusive rewards, deepening their engagement with Team Liquid, our players, and our teams. I can’t wait for our fans to see what’s coming.”
Team Liquid and Mysten Labs are also exploring how web3-powered technology can be used to further enhance fan experiences, and plans to collaborate on marketing, growth initiatives, content, events, sponsored streams, and more to highlight the Sui platform.Â
Team Liquid is no stranger to working with blockchain and web3 companies; in November 2023 it announced a partnership with blockchain-based game developer Illuvium, to promote its competitive Auto Battler game, Illuvium: Arena.
 Mysten Labs joins a number of other Team Liquid sponsors and partners including Alienware, Coinbase, Honda, HyperX, IMC, Kingston Fury, Monster Energy, SAP, Secretlab, Thorne, and Twitch.