Houston-based software company Mainline was selected to run a new collegiate esports league for hundreds of colleges and universities.
Mainline, which manages and develops custom esports tournament software for universities and other customers, is partnering with The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), Playfly Sports-owned CSL Esports and esports infrastructure firm Nerd Street Gamers to launch the NACE Starleague. The league expected to become the largest collegiate esports league in North America. NACE Starleague will cover some 14,500 students from 600 colleges and universities, including Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, the University of Southern California, the University of North Carolina, the University of Missouri and more.
NACE Starleague esports matches will be run on Mainline's tournament platform, the league announced July 7. The Houston firm's digital platform will provide team management, student authentication for colleges and universities, sponsorship integrations and privacy and legal compliance.
"Mainline is extremely proud to support NACE Starleague with their efforts to continue to grow collegiate esports through this dynamic partnership," said Chris Buckner, CEO at Mainline. "We are excited they have selected us as their preferred software in their efforts to drive continuity and scale for their esports events and competitions."
Mainline knows the college esports tournament space well. In 2019, Mainline partnered with ESPN for the sports media giant's first-ever collegiate esports championship, where the startup handled many of the event's broadcast and production elements. Last summer, Mainline and Learfield IMG College partnered with the Big 12 Conference on a Madden NFL 20 tournament. Mainline announced raising a $6.8 million Series A funding round in November 2019.
"Our partnership will bring together the largest number of North American institutions and students that collegiate esports has ever seen," said NACE Executive Director Michael Brooks. "Working together with some of the biggest powerhouses in the collegiate esports industry enables us to bring the greatest value to students and administrators while maintaining the institutional voice for students and staff."
Philadelphia-based Nerd Street Gamers will support NACE Starleague broadcasting, live event operations, ticketing, training facilities and more. Each student in the NACE Starleague will have access to Nerd Street's gaming and esports facilities, the firm said.
The league will begin operations in fall 2021.
