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Washington football will look even more surreal this weekend when it faces UCLA on Friday. That’s because the Huskies announced a new NIL partnership with Blizzard Entertainment, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of “World of Warcraft.”
As part of the deal, Washington will become a “University of Warcraft” in the days leading up to its matchup against the Bruins. As part of the agreement, players will promote “University of Warcraft” on social media, a custom logo will be unveiled, “World of Warcraft” mascots will lead the team onto the field, the student section will receive themed T-shirts and more.
Curt Svoboda, Washington’s deputy athletic director for external relations, said the team is excited to partner with such an “iconic brand” in the world of video games.
“We are excited to partner with Blizzard Entertainment in a pioneering collaboration that brings together the worlds of sports and gaming, and highlights our shared commitment to innovation and creativity,” Svoboda said in a statement. “Our football players have had a unique opportunity to contribute to Blizzard’s 20th anniversary celebration, gaining valuable insights into the creative production process behind an iconic brand. We look forward to taking over World of Warcraft on Friday at Husky Stadium, where two powerful brands will come together.” “For an unforgettable experience.”
“World of Warcraft” was first released on November 23, 2004. Over the past 20 years, the popularity of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game has grown dramatically, with 250 million players worldwide. Hitting the silver screen, Warcraft grossed $439 million at the worldwide box office in 2016.
