DES MOINES, IA — Grand View University Esports is proud to announce a new partnership with Team Liquid, one of the world's leading professional esports organizations. The partnership is formalized through a signed four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and creates a framework for collaboration between Grand View's nationally competitive collegiate esports program and Team Liquid.
The partnership will focus on creating new opportunities for Grand View student-athletes, coaches, and the broader esports community while connecting Grand View Esports with Team Liquid's experienced staff, coaches, players, and opportunities to explore the professional esports industry through field visits and other collaborative initiatives.
Among the initial areas of collaboration, Grand View and Team Liquid will begin collaborating on new apparel and jersey design, with plans to release for the 2027-28 academic year. The organizations will also work together to identify opportunities for event programming and other initiatives that connect collegiate and professional esports such as a field visit to one of the Team Liquid facilities or as part of broadcast and production job shadow at a TL production event.
A major early focus of the partnership will be Grand View Esports' 2027 summer camp programming. Grand View and Team Liquid will explore incorporating Team Liquid personnel, expertise, and resources into camps hosted by Grand View, providing participants with a professionally verified camp itinerary. This joint venture aims to elevate esports locally by continuing to support esports development and proficiency for competitively driven individuals.
"This partnership is perhaps the most exciting opportunity I have had during the tenure of my esports career and for us to then continue building on what we've established at Grand View by creating new experiences for our students and the local esports community is truly rewarding," said Nathan Ragsdell, Director of Esports at Grand View University. "Team Liquid is one of, if not, the most recognizable and respected organizations in esports, and having the opportunity to collaborate with them, gives our coaches and students a connection with and an opportunity to learn from professional esports industry leaders."
The four-year MOU provides both organizations with a foundation to develop additional collaborative initiatives throughout the partnership going beyond the apparel and merchandise to open up future event opportunities. Grand View Esports positions the program to leverage this relationship to provide its esports program to further elevate their operations through Team Liquid's professional perspectives, practices, and expertise in an effort to further support the growth of esports with a focus on local and regional initiatives.
For Grand View, the partnership represents another step in the continued growth of an early adopter of varsity esports that has established itself on the national collegiate stage. Grand View Esports competes across titles including League of Legends, Overwatch, VALORANT, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, and more, with teams regularly participating in national collegiate competition.
Team Liquid brings over 20 years of experience in professional esports, operating teams and initiatives across numerous competitive gaming titles and markets around the world. This collaboration between the two organizations coalesces from a shared a goal in supporting a passionate esports community and nurturing talent.
Additional information regarding collaborative apparel, the upcoming 2027 Grand View Esports Summer Camps, and other initiatives developed through the partnership will be announced as plans are finalized.
About Grand View University Esports
Grand View University Esports provides students with opportunities to compete at the collegiate level while developing skills in teamwork, leadership, communication, and competitive performance. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the program competes nationally across multiple esports titles and continues to expand its competitive, educational, and community programming.
About Team Liquid
Team Liquid is a global esports organization with a strong legacy of competition across many of the world's leading esports titles. In addition to professional competition, Team Liquid operates across content, community, apparel, and other areas of the esports industry. Their leading goal is "to forge a global fandom that celebrates creativity, mastery, and kindness. To solidify our legacy by becoming the multi-generational, global leader in esports."
