Aquilini GameCo Inc. completes landmark esports and gaming merger

On August 30th, 2019 Aquilini GameCo Inc. completed its previously announced acquisition of Luminosity Gaming Inc. and Luminosity Gaming (USA), LLC, as well as its subsequent amalgamation with J55 Capital Corp. (TSXV: FIVE.P) and arrangement with Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (TSXV: EGLX).

The transaction, which also included an acquisition of a non-controlling interest in the Vancouver Titans esports team, results in the formation of the leading publicly traded esports and gaming media organization in North America. This is a first of its kind transaction in esports.

The merged entity is called Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (“Enthusiast Gaming”). The resulting issuer’s assets include, among other things, eight esports teams (including management of the Vancouver Titans Overwatch League franchise), 40 esports influencers, 100+ gaming media websites, and 900+ YouTube and Twitch channels. This represents a significant step in the development of our gaming and esports practice.

Norton Rose Fulbright LLP advised Aquilini GameCo Inc. with a team that was led by Walied Soliman and Robert Mason, and included Nader Hasan, Cynthia Sargeant, Carole Gilbert, Jenny Ng, Kathy Snow, Dion Legge, Brian Milne, Christopher Horte, Todd Schroeder, and Manny Rivera.

Clark Wilson LLP advised J55 with a team that included Nafeesa Valli-Hasham, Virgil Hlus, and Scott McLeod.

Enthusiast was advised by Minden Gross LLP by Yosef S. Adler, Jessica Thrower, Andrew Elbaz and Alexander Katznelson.

Counsel to Enthusiast was provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP with a team that included Jay Kellerman, Marshall Eidinger and Precia Darshan (M&A); Jonathan Willson (Tax); Alex Rose, Patrick Corney and Patricia Joseph (Litigation), Lucy Carruthers (Employment).