Esports.net, a top gaming publication, has ended all content operations following its sale by Catena Media. According to internal communications from The Esports Radar, Esports.net and its sister site EsportsBets.com were sold to an undisclosed buyer, with the transition taking immediate effect as of June 6.
A message was issued to editorial staff on June 5 stating that Catena Media no longer owns or operates the assets. Staff were instructed to stop all ongoing work related to the platforms, including freelancers and contractors. “As of today, the Esports assets [esports.net and esportsbets.com] have officially been sold by Catena Media to an undisclosed buyer. “Any work completed up to and including June 6th will be invoiced and paid accordingly.”
Staff Contracts Terminated
As part of the abrupt change, full-time editorial staff were informed that their contracts would be terminated by June 6. The shutdown impacts permanent team members and independent contributors, many playing integral roles in building the brand.
Gianfranco Capozzi, the outgoing General Manager for Esports and APAC at Catena, confirmed to The Esports Radar that he wasn’t aware of the buyer’s identity. “We’ve been asked to suspend all ongoing work, including that of contractors and freelancers, with our last day being tomorrow. We had a very talented team, it’s a sad moment,” he said.
Capozzi Reflects on a Seven-Year Journey
Capozzi also shared a public farewell on LinkedIn via June 6, marking his final day at Catena Media. Reflecting on more than seven years with the company, he expressed pride in the journey and the team that helped grow Esports.net from its inception.
“Today marks my last day at Catena Media as GM for Esports and APAC, following the sale of the esports assets to new owners. It’s been just over 7 years, a wild, challenging, and rewarding ride. I am really proud of what we built from the ground up,” he wrote.
Future of the Platforms Unclear
The future of Esports.net and EsportsBets.com remains uncertain. Neither the new owner nor Catena Media has issued a public statement clarifying what will happen to the brands going forward. The abrupt nature of the sale and the immediate termination of staff suggests a major strategic shift is underway, but the direction is speculative without public disclosure.
Headquartered in Malta, Catena Media is known for its extensive portfolio of affiliate sites in the iGaming sector. Presently, The Esports Radar’s efforts to contact company management for further comments have been unsuccessful.
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