ESPN drops into Fortnite with ‘Football Island’

In today’s sports media era, it’s vital to reach audiences where they are. Nowadays, that means in the video game Fortnite.

ESPN has now partnered with the blockbuster game popular among the Gen-Z audience with the introduction of “ESPN Football Island,” a new feature available for gamers looking to mix some of their favorite SportsCenter anchors into the action.

The new game mode includes cameos from the SportsCenter tandem of Randy Scott and Gary Striewski along with NHL content host Arda Öcal. In announcing the new collaboration, ESPN Vice President, Sports Business Development & Innovation Kevin Lopes said, “At ESPN, we consistently look for ways to innovate and showcase our world-class sports storytelling. With ESPN Football Island, we’re doing just that through engaging games on a platform we know resonates with the next generation of sports fans.”

On “ESPN Football Island” players will compete in teams to move a giant football down the field to score a touchdown, all the while avoiding obstacles and defending their own end zone. The game will also feature “The Boxtagon” which allows players to face off against each other in a 1v1 boxing fight, a collaboration with the UFC. The game mode will also feature rewards and exclusive in-game items from the ESPN Football Store.

No doubt, ESPN is going all-in on attracting a younger audience with this one. The announcement comes on the heels of the network revealing a Simpsons-themed alternative telecast for Monday Night Football later this season. Last year, ESPN produced a similar alt-cast with a Toy Story theme.

ESPN has a long history of involvement in video games, but those are typically exclusive to sports-focused titles. The Fortnite collaboration is another step into that world and one that poses little downside for the network to attract new fans.

[ESPN PR]