Coliseum

Evo 2016 ended up being a huge turning point for it’s visibility in outside-the-FGC news media. As the event drew record breaking numbers, it aired for the first time ever on ESPN2. Perhaps, though, there’s no better sign of it’s continued creeping into mainstream acceptance than Legendary Bruin Center Bill Walton gushing over the event.

 

 

Walton sang the praises of games he was clearly emotionally invested in watching, and the sportsmanship and history that went on there. In the all-to-brief segment, Walton surprised his interviewer with boundless enthusiasm and knowledge.

Then he was asked what got him into the FGC in the first place.

“My future is the business of sport,” Bill pulled back his giddy grin for a bit to get serious. Still passionate, but now he was being predictive; “This is what the business of sport is about for all of our future.” It was hard to read this any other way: Walton was openly championing continued FGC coverage.

“We got to witness some of the greatest champions I have ever been close to.” To hear Bill say that and name check SonicFox, Chris G, Justin Wong, and not, you know, a sports figure the ESPN demographic would normally applaud… for our community, that’s powerful.

 

Little Billy has a message for you – ESPN2, Street Fighter, 7pm pst. #Evo2016 pic.twitter.com/4i9hghG9m2

— ESPN Esports (@ESPN_Esports) July 18, 2016

Little Billy warning you not to miss the “intergalactic championship” of Street Fighter V shows just how real the fun he’s having is. ESPN, or really anyone, should consider using him as their regular E-sports spokesperson. Palpable passion and name recognition both go a long way, and he has both.

Between his endorsement, Xavier Woods, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more, Evo’s profile keeps getting raised. Who will be the FGC’s next celebrity endorsement?

 

Sources: ESPN2