BBIX Announces Sponsorship Agreement with Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS for Professional eSports Team, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming

September 22, 2021
Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.
BBIX, Inc.

BBIX Announces Sponsorship Agreement with Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS for Professional eSports Team, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming

〜Providing a high quality, stable gaming environment via BBIX’s IX platform～

BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that conducts an Internet Exchange (IX) business, announced the 2021 eSports Uniform (right chest) Sponsorship Agreement with Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp. (“SoftBank HAWKS”) for its professional eSports team, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming (“HAWKS Gaming”), in addition to providing network connectivity for the team starting today.

In the world of eSports and online gaming, even the slightest disconnection can have a significant effect on the end results of the game, so Internet stability and speed is crucial. BBIX will support HAWKS Gaming in providing Internet connectivity services by connecting players’ gaming residences directly with BBIX’s IX platform in Tokyo. By doing so, players will be able to access game servers through the best route available and compete in a high-speed, stable Internet environment.

By supporting HAWKS Gaming, BBIX will contribute to the development and growth of both the Internet and eSports.

■About HAWKS Gaming

HAWKS Gaming is an eSports team operated by Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp. As of September 2021, there are 13 players competing in games such as League of Legends and Shadowverse.

URL ：https://gaming.softbankhawks.co.jp/ (Japanese)

■Sponsorship Summary

Sponsorship Period:
　From September 22, 2021 to August 31, 2023
Major Sponsorship Items:
　・Sponsorship of HAWKS Gaming and offering of Internet connectivity services
　・Display of BBIX logo on HAWKS Gaming uniforms
　・Display of BBIX logo on HAWKS Gaming website and social media

■Comments on Sponsorship Agreement

Takashi Yoshitake, Board Director & Vice President, Deputy Head of Business Operations of Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.　

“We are very happy and excited to announce this sponsorship agreement with BBIX. We are confident that with BBIX’s high-speed and reliable Internet environment, our players will be able to better focus and compete with strong teamwork. With the support of BBIX, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming will strive to promote eSports and raise awareness.”

Michikazu Fukuchi, Executive Vice President & COO of BBIX, Inc.

“We are very excited and proud to support Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming as a sponsor. Currently, there are various domestic and international gaming companies connected to BBIX’s IX platform. Through our platform, players will be able to compete online through a reliable Internet environment with low latency. We will help contribute to the development and expansion of eSports with our high bandwidth IX infrastructure, and by supporting Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming, which aspires to become the number one eSports team in the world.”

■About SoftBank HAWKS

Company Name: Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp.
URL ：https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/
Headquarters: 2-2-2 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Representative: Yoshimitsu Goto, President& CEO
Date of establishment: March 1969
Capital: 100 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by SoftBank Group Corp.
Business: Ownership of a professional baseball team, management of baseball games, management of baseball and other sports facilities, services delivering video, audio, data, etc.,using various media, etc.

■About BBIX

Company Name: BBIX, Inc.
URL ：https://www.bbix.net/en
Headquarters: 1-9-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hidetoshi Ikeda, President & CEO
Date of establishment: June 13, 2003
Capital: 100 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by SoftBank Corp.
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software

● The company names and service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.

● The contents, products, specifications, contact information and other information contained in this press release are as of the date of announcement. This information is subject to change without notice.