Elite Sports Gaming

What Elite Sports Gaming does

Elite Sports Gaming LLC is a New York-based video game studio that develops ESG Football, a free-to-play physics-based simulation of American football marketed as the first online multiplayer 11v11 and 7v7 title available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The company was co-founded by two professional gamers and operates with a small team (11-50 employees). The game's core technology stack relies on a physics-based simulation engine combined with triple-A quality motion capture from professional NFL athletes — including LeSean McCoy, David Tyree, Shawne Merriman, and Cameron Jordan — to generate position-specific animations for running backs, wide receivers, edge pass rushers, linebackers, and defensive ends. The product includes three primary components: core 7v7/11v11 multiplayer gameplay, an open-world environment called The Heights where players can recruit pro athletes and influencers, and a My Legend character progression system allowing avatar customization from rookie to legend.

The business model is consumer free-to-play with two disclosed revenue streams: (1) sale of ESG Virtual Currency that players redeem for in-game entitlements such as unlockable content and virtual assets, and (2) marketplace commission from Stream Team branded item sales, with profits shared equally among eligible content creators who meet viewership thresholds. The company operates a product-led growth motion, relying on influencer partnerships with professional athletes, a Stream Team content creator program with real-money payouts, community newsletters, and closed beta testing to drive adoption.

The company remains in an early commercialization stage as evidenced by its active closed beta application program, undisclosed player counts, and no publicly reported revenue figures. It has raised approximately $3.55M across two funding rounds (~$910K in March 2021 and ~$2.6M in January 2023). Supporting ecosystem programs include the Stream Team for content creators, a Music Submission portal for artists, and customer service operations — all managed under the DBA "ESG" with the company governed under Delaware law and headquartered in New York, New York.

Name

Elite Sports Gaming

Legal name

Elite Sports Gaming LLC

Website

https://elitesportsgaming.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elite Sports Gaming develops ESG Football, a free-to-play physics-based American football simulation featuring online multiplayer 7v7 and 11v11 modes across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, monetizing through virtual currency and content creator programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Simulation Video Games

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports/Racing Game Studios (MPAFAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Open Circuit & Qualifier Events (Online/Offline) (MPAKANAD), Esports Platforms & Competitive Gaming Networks (BPAMAKAH)

Keywords

• Sports video games
• Multiplayer football simulation
• Free-to-play gaming
• Virtual currency monetization
• Esports content creation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Virtual Currency and Entitlements: Players purchase ESG Virtual Currency to redeem for digital entitlements including unlockable content, enhanced functionality, and virtual assets within the game. Virtual currency has no real-world monetary value and cannot be refunded.
2. Stream Team Item Sales: Profits from sale of Stream Team branded items within the game are divided equally amongst eligible Stream Team members who meet minimum view thresholds. Stream Team items generate revenue share for content creators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elite Sports Gaming develops and publishes ESG Football, a free-to-play physics-based simulation American football video game that supports online multiplayer in 7v7 and 11v11 formats across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The game includes an open-world environment ("The Heights") for recruiting athletes and influencers, a customizable avatar progression system ("My Legend"), and monetizes via ESG Virtual Currency purchases and a Stream Team creator revenue-share marketplace.

Product overview

Elite Sports Gaming offers ESG Football, a free-to-play physics-based simulation American football video game available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The core product includes online multiplayer modes (7v7 and 11v11), an open world environment called The Heights for recruiting athletes and influencers, and a My Legend character progression system. The company also operates supporting programs including the ESG Stream Team for content creators (with profit-sharing and real-money payouts), a Music Submission program for artists seeking in-game inclusion, a Closed Beta testing program, and customer service support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ESG Football A free-to-play physics-based simulation American football video game for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, featuring online multiplayer in 7v7 and 11v11 formats, professional athlete motion capture, an open-world environment (The Heights), and a customizable avatar progression system (My Legend), aimed at football fans and gamers.
• ESG Virtual Currency A purchasable in-game virtual currency used within ESG Football to redeem digital entitlements such as unlockable content, enhanced functionality, and virtual assets; the currency has no real-world monetary value and cannot be refunded (Japan-specific: must be used within 180 days of purchase).

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LeSean McCoycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL running back and future Hall of Fame inductee. Assists ESG in strategic partnerships and creating physics-based animations for the running back position through triple-A motion capture technology. Member of NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
• David TyreecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuper Bowl champion and All-Pro wide receiver best known for the Helmet Catch in Super Bowl XLII. Assists ESG in establishing athlete relationships and creating physics-based animations for the wide receiver position.
• Shawne MerrimancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-Pro outside linebacker recognized as one of the fiercest pass rushers of the 2000s. Also Founder and CEO of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (professional MMA league). Assists ESG in securing strategic partnerships and creating physics-based animations for edge pass rusher and linebacker positions.
• Cameron JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL defensive end and future Hall of Fame inductee. Member of NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Admired for power rush and all-around defensive line play. Assists ESG in developing athlete relationships and creating physics-based animations for the defensive end position.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EA Sports (Madden NFL): The dominant American football video game franchise from Electronic Arts and the primary competitor in the football simulation category. Comparable because both target the same gamer base with American football gameplay, though Madden holds official NFL licensing that ESG does not.
• Axis Games (Axis Football): Indie developer of Axis Football, an alternative American football simulation without NFL licensing. Comparable as a non-licensed, smaller-studio football sim targeting gamers dissatisfied with Madden, sharing ESG's positioning as a community-driven alternative.
• Psyonix (Rocket League): Developer of Rocket League, a physics-based competitive sports video game with a thriving esports ecosystem. Comparable as a free-to-play, physics-driven, multiplayer sports title with strong competitive and creator-community mechanics that mirror ESG's design philosophy.
• Maximum Football: Developer of Maximum Football, a long-running indie American football game series without NFL licensing. Comparable as a non-licensed football simulation alternative appealing to football gaming enthusiasts seeking an option outside of Madden.

Broad incumbents

• Visual Concepts (NBA 2K): Developer of the NBA 2K franchise under 2K Sports, a leading sports simulation series. Comparable as a major sports sim with deep career progression, online multiplayer, and esports presence, though basketball-focused rather than football.
• Konami (eFootball): Developer of eFootball (formerly Pro Evolution Soccer), a global football (soccer) simulation franchise. Comparable as a competing football-themed sports sim with free-to-play online multiplayer, though focused on soccer rather than American football.
• 2K Games: Publisher of multiple sports simulation franchises including NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and others. Comparable as a major sports game publisher with established live-ops, esports, and microtransaction infrastructure that ESG could potentially partner with or compete against.
• Electronic Arts: Parent company of EA Sports and the Madden NFL franchise. Comparable as the dominant sports gaming publisher whose exclusive NFL licensing and marketing scale set the competitive bar ESG must overcome in the football category.
• Take-Two Interactive: Major game publisher with sports titles (NBA 2K, WWE 2K) and deep live-ops expertise. Comparable as a large publisher with sports simulation franchises and the operational playbook for sustaining multiplayer sports games at scale.

Emerging players

• New Star Games (Retro Bowl): Developer of Retro Bowl, a popular mobile American football game with retro aesthetics and deep engagement. Comparable as a successful indie football game that built a passionate community outside the Madden ecosystem, demonstrating market appetite for non-licensed football titles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/PlayESG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elite-sports-gaming

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elite Sports Gaming