Plans have reportedly been made for FC Bayern Munich to enter eSports. Uli Hoeneß is apparently not a fan of FIFA 18 – he opposes the “FC Bayern eSports”.
eSports has become increasingly important in FIFA, especially through the Weekend League. With the FIFA 18 Global Series and changes in FIFA 19, EA is strongly moving towards eSports.
However, in Germany, digital football has prominent opponents. Besides Hoeneß, DFB President Reinhard Grindel is also not a fan of eSports.
FC Bayern with its own eSports department? Hoeneß says no
Plans for eSports at FCB had already been made. Allegedly, the Munich team had already planned their move into eSports. With a budget of 5 million euros, they would have been very well positioned financially and could have shaken up the market. Facilities were to be created in the new youth development center.
Hoeneß himself reportedly vetoed it. According to sport1, Uli Hoeneß himself put a stop to the project. In his opinion, eSports does not fit the basic understanding and the tradition of FC Bayern Munich.
The main goal of FCB was not FIFA. The plans of the football club were apparently not primarily aimed at FIFA. Instead, the focus was on titles such as Fortnite, League of Legends, or Dota 2. Thus, a possible FCB team for FIFA 19 is even further away.
Basketball department of Bayern with its own eSports team
FCB Basketball with “Bayern Ballers Gaming”. In April, FC Bayern Basketball founded its own eSports team in the relatively small scene of the NBA 2K simulation. The first official matches are expected to take place in August.
Decision separate from the football club. Media Chief Andreas Burkert, however, makes it clear that the decision comes only from the basketball department and has nothing to do with the football club FC Bayern. They probably would not have received any support from Hoeneß.
Other Bundesliga teams see an opportunity. Not only FCB Basketball, but also many Bundesliga teams such as VFL Wolfsburg, FC Schalke 04, or Bayer 04 Leverkusen already have an eSports department. Their players are also quite successful in FIFA. In the scene, “Tim Latka” or “TimoX” are well-known names and considered major talents.
What do you think, will there be an eSports team of FC Bayern Munich under the leadership of Uli Hoeneß?
