Steve Walkowiak and P. William Stark, both litigation shareholders with the firm, will lead the multi-office, cross-practice Video Game and Esports Group, according to a release.
The formation of the new group will allow the firm to get a bigger piece of a billion-dollar-plus industry, utilizing 20 attorneys’ expertise in intellectual technology, emerging technology, media rights, litigation and more. The firm will also lean on the knowledge of its Global Gaming and Sports Law Practices.
The multifaceted industry provides opportunities for the firm to represent esports teams and game developers, as well as the development of stadiums and the relocation of esports teams. The firm already represents clients in the team and developer space.
Given the dynamic nature of video games and esports, needs for these clients span from governmental regulation and antitrust to employment and policy initiatives, requiring a breadth of expertise.
“This type of cross-pollination enables the firm to provide tailored solutions while proactively navigating opportunities or challenges that can arise,” Stark said in the release.
Dallas-Fort Worth has become a hotbed for competitive video gaming, or esports.
In May, Mark Cuban said that esports could have the impact on North Texas that oil and gas did 50 years ago.
“And I don’t know necessarily that a lot of our business leaders truly understand that,” Cuban said at the time.
Cuban owns Mavs Gaming, one of 17 teams playing in the inaugural season of the NBA 2K League.
Cuban isn’t the only one in DFW capitalizing on esports growing in popularity.
Earlier this year, the city of Arlington announced it was helping fund a $10 million esports stadium. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, and real estate investor John Goff teamed up to acquire Complexity Gaming, moving the team’s global headquarters to The Star in Frisco.
Cuban is also building a facility in Deep Ellum where the old Mavericks facility was built. The facility will be able to seat 1,500 people and has room to expand, he said.