North American esports organization Phoenix1 will expand its reach outside of League of Legends for the first time in its history, beginning with the signing of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U player Gavin "Tweek" Dempsey, the organization announced Friday.
Tweek will tout the Phoenix1 jersey for the first time at Saturday's 2GG Championship: Midwest Mayhem Saga at the Esports Arena in Santa Ana, California, the second iteration of the 2GG Smash for Wii U circuit.
"[Our director of business development] Charlie [Lipsie] identified [Tweek] as one of the best up and coming talents in Smash, we couldn't be more excited to bring him into the Phoenix1 family," Phoenix1 co-owner and managing partner Michael Moore said in a statement to ESPN. "Make sure to cheer him on this weekend at Midwest Mayhem Saga."
Tweek is currently ranked 17th on the Panda Global Rankings, the community standard rankings for Smash for Wii U. He recently placed ninth at Genesis 4, the first major tournament of the year in Super Smash Bros. Over the last six months, he's placed within the top 16 of two major tournaments, The Big House 6 and 2GGT: ZeRo Saga.
"Thank you very much to Phoenix1 for this great opportunity. I am looking forward to being a part of the team, and I plan on representing them well. This is just the beginning," Tweek said to ESPN.
Phoenix1 launched in May when former Paramount Pictures vice chairman Robert Moore, his son Michael Moore and "Happy Madison" producer Jack Giarraputo collectively purchased the League Championship Series spot formerly owned by Team Impulse. Since, the team has not expanded its reach to other esports titles.
In a statement to ESPN, Robert Moore stressed that he and his associates believed it was important to build a stable brand in League of Legends before expanding elsewhere. After roster changes throughout December, Phoenix1's League of Legends team currently is in fourth place in the North American LCS.
"Phoenix1 will be seeking opportunities to invest in all areas of esports is based upon our firm belief that managing partner Michael Moore has built a team with Charlie Lipsie and Eric Ma that can identify talent that will be able to succeed at the highest levels of competition," Robert Moore said.