Chinese investment firm Puji Capital has made a strategic investment into aXiomatic, an eSports ownership and management group led by two U.S. professional sports team owners and entrepreneurs, Peter Guber and Ted Leonsis.
No financial details were disclosed. Puji said it made the investment to continue its support in the global digital media and entertainment companies.
The well-connected firm previously invested in Wanda Pictures, the media, film and TV unit of Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group.
Peter Guber was formerly CEO and chairman of Columbia Pictures Entertainment, ex-owner or co-owner of three professional sports team including Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Football Club and professional eSports organization Team Liquid.
Ted Leonsis was founder of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and majority owner of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals, the National Basketball Association's Washington Wizards, the Women's National Basketball Association's Washington Mystics, the Arena Football League's Washington Valor, among others.
"The eSports industry has been part of Puji's strategic roadmap in investments into the global media ecosystem for some time," said Alex Szeto, director of Puji. "We have reviewed a number of investment opportunities in eSports but had not found a partner (or company) who similarly shares Puji's global vision until aXiomatic."
Puji is hoping to provide more strategic opportunities and investments to bridge the growing eSports industry across China and the world.
Szeto adds that the growth of video and mobile gaming along with eSports are converging with traditional film and television industries in China. The investment in aXiomatic will better enable the firm to capture that future growth.
aXiomatic previously received investments from Magic Johnson, Steve Case, Tony Robbins, NextVR, Blake Byers, and Tom Kartosotis.
Last week, Puji teamed up with Beijing-based Fu Wah International Group to launch a new joint venture to make strategic investment in China's culture related sectors including tourism, real estate, consumer lifestyle and technology.