NASEF Partnering with Carvana and Esports Powerhouse NRG, Hosting Upcoming Rocket League Combine In Search of Emerging Pro Talent
Sep 25, 2023Combine Winner To Receive $10,000 Grand Prize and One-Year Sponsorship Courtesy of Leading
Online Auto Retailer
PHOENIX (September 25, 2023) — Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars
online, and esports and gaming leader NRG are thrilled to partner in hosting a new skills challenge event
in search of the world’s next Rocket League pro. The Carvana | NRG Combine, in collaboration with the
Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), invites outstanding student esports
athletes aged 18 and up to compete for a one-year content creator contract Carvana and NRG, a grand
prize of $10,000 and the chance to make a name in the esports industry. **NASEF students entering the competition must be high school seniors with legal guardian approval, and may not yet be 18.
“We are inspired by the talent and passion fueling the growth of esports and are excited to collaborate
with NRG as we take our brand mantra of driving people happy to the next level with this new
partnership,” said Ryan Keeton, Carvana co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. “Carvana is thrilled to enter
the esports space and host the first-ever Carvana NRG Combine in search of the next esports superstar.”
NASEF has its own path for high school seniors to qualify for the event. Details for high school students entering this exciting Combine are found here.
“We respect the community, talent and passion fueling the growth of esports and are so excited to collaborate with NRG as we take our brand mantra of driving people happy to the next level with this new partnership,” said Ryan Keeton, Carvana co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. “All are invited to experience the first-ever Carvana NRG Combine where we’ll give aspiring esports athletes this amazing opportunity to join the NRG team with a year-long sponsorship.”
For two days starting November 11, the Carvana | NRG Combine will transform the iconic NRG Castle in downtown Los Angeles into a vibrant hub of innovation and learning. This event will not only feature top gamers and aspiring esports professionals engaging in friendly competition and showcasing their technique, but will also serve as a boot camp for esports business acumen. Participants will have the opportunity to learn valuable insights from industry experts into marketing strategies, best practices, and tips on honing their craft, setting the stage for a promising future in the gaming industry. In addition, these student athletes will meet Rocket League ace Musty and other NRG team members, all while watching gaming’s best in action. The Carvana | NRG Combine will feature a range of Rocket League-based skills challenges and game play, with an opportunity for one talented winner to level up in style with a one-year pro sponsorship, courtesy of Carvana and $10,000 cash—a major advantage to any aspiring esports athlete looking to embark on the next chapter of their academic journey.
“NASEF is thrilled to partner with Carvana and NRG to present such a fantastic event for students,” said Claire LaBeaux, Chief Marketing Officer at NASEF. “Our objective is to always blend play and learning and to help students develop relevant career skills. The combination of Rocket League gameplay and video production will engage a lot of excited youth in this Combine.”
“NRG is beyond excited to collaborate with Carvana on what has been a long-time passion project for our organization,” says Brandon Tortora, Head of Sales and Brand Partnerships at NRG. “United by our mutual dedication to technology and crafting outstanding interactive experiences, we are eager to give aspiring talents this stage so they can shine. This event is not merely a skills challenge, but a platform where we hope to discover and nurture the next generation of Rocket League talent, fostering an environment where dreams can become a reality and possibly unveiling the next big pro in the scene.”
For news and updates ahead of the Carvana | NRG Combine on November 11, 2023, follow Carvana, NRG, and NASEF's social media channels @gocarvana and @nrggram and @NASEFgg. NASEF members, get all the details and enter the Combine here.
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About Carvana
Carvana is an industry pioneer for buying and selling used vehicles online. As the fastest growing used
automotive retailer in U.S. history, its proven, customer-first ecommerce model has positively impacted
millions of people's lives through more convenient, accessible and transparent experiences. Carvana.com allows someone to purchase a vehicle from the comfort of their home, completing the entire process online, benefiting from a 7-day money back guarantee, home delivery, nationwide inventory selection and more. Customers also have the option to sell or trade-in their vehicle across all Carvana locations, including its patented Car Vending Machines, in more than 300 U.S. markets. Carvana brings a continued focus on people-first values, industry-leading customer care, technology and innovation, and is the No. 2 automotive brand in the U.S., only behind Ford, on the Forbes 2022 Most Customer-Centric Companies List. Carvana is one of the four fastest companies to make the Fortune 500 and for more information, please visit www.carvana.com and follow us @Carvana.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Klemow, Carvana Communication [email protected]
Claire LaBeaux, NASEF [email protected]