Oakley Trumps with Scump, its First eSports Athlete

California-based Oakley, signs two-time major league gaming X Games Gold Medalist Seth ‘Scump’ Abner to join Oakley’s roster of elite athletes.

Oakley announces the signing of Seth ‘Scump’ Abner as the brand’s first professional esports athlete.

As a brand rooted in competition, Oakley says it wants to deepen its roots with the gaming community and those who share in the pursuit of progression, giving it everything they’ve got. Day in and day out, Oakley claims these athletes are tested at the highest levels of mental stamina against the toughest of opponents, themselves.

With one of the world’s best esports athletes now on board, Oakley says the move is cementing its mission to provide next level gaming for fans around the world.

Often referred to as “The King” by his fans, Scump is widely considered the world’s top professional Call of Duty player. He is a two time Major League Gaming (MLG) X Games gold medalist and was awarded “Best Console Player” at the 2017 Esports Industry Awards.

Oakley will become Scump’s exclusive eyewear partner during all competitive matches and streams. Scump has changed the landscape of gaming through an unbridled passion for competition and unmatched success in his sport and, some gaming fans may argue, he is redefining what it means to be an athlete.

Scump has grown into a global ambassador for esports by engaging with his fans and followers through various forms of content
creation.

Scump joins a roster of sports icons which includes Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Mikaela Shiffrin, Chloe Kim and many others. Like the names that have come before him, Oakley says Scump’s brand has transcended sport through a commitment to being the best and training to make that a reality.

According to Oakley Global Marketing Director Caio Amato, Scump embodies the Oakley attitude by progressing both on and off the screen, showing a desire to progress in a variety of fields. Amato says Scump continues to help grow the gaming space while promoting and influencing a positive lifestyle for gamers around the world, both professional and recreational.

“This is a very exciting day for Oakley as we level up our commitment to gaming. It is an honor for us to partner with Scump, an athlete that reinvents himself every day to be on the top. Our goal is to support and enable gamers all over the globe to keep getting better, so they keep shaping the future of esports. And Scump is a fundamental partner on that journey,” says Amato.

According to Amato, the signing of Scump is just the latest move as part of Oakley’s strong commitment to the gaming space. Last month, Amato says the brand announced a partnership and exclusive collection with leading gaming accessory brand Turtle Beach. Previously, Oakley launched the brand’s first optical solution developed specifically for gaming – Prizm Gaming Lens Technology.

Oakley also partnered with EA SPORTS and the Madden NFL 21 Championship Series for ‘Derwin James vs. The World’, a tournament where athletes, celebrities and musical artists faced off with the Los Angeles Chargers star and member of Team Oakley each week.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Scump says the future is looking bright.

“It is an honor to be the first esports athlete on Team Oakley. It has quickly proven itself to be an authentic and committed partner, so I’m excited to introduce the brand’s offerings to my fans and engage with other athletes on their roster. We already have a lot in the works and I look forward to sharing more in the months to come,” says Scump.

(Ed. Featured image of Seth ‘Scump’ Abner provided courtesy of Oakley.)