Mentioned in this article Teams: Magic Gaming

Skillshot Media has signed a partnership with the Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network.

Skillshot was founded by game developer Hi-Rez, creator of SMITE and Paladins .

As part of the partnership, Northside will provide a number of medical services to pro esports players in several Hi-Rez leagues.

Esports production company Skillshot Media is partnering with the Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network in Atlanta, Georgia, to create “a comprehensive esports medical program for SMITE and Paladins esports athletes.” The partnership comes following Hi-Rez Studios’ announcement of a revamped structure for both games that will see two condensed professional leagues competing in-person out of Skillshot’s Atlanta studio.

“In discussions with the Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network, it became clear that they are not only taking early notice of the rising trend of esports injuries, but also aspire to serve our pro players just like athletes in traditional sports – benefiting from nutrition, exercise, rest, and best practices for optimizing performance and prolonging careers,” said Todd Harris, president of Skillshot Media. “We are thrilled to partner with Northside to provide complementary injury-prevention services for our players and also share ongoing research with the broader esports community.”

Founded in 2018, Skillshot Media provides production services, community management, and tournament organization across several esports titles. The company is an offshoot of game developer Hi-Rez Studios , producer of SMITE and Paladins, where Harris also serves as COO. For its part in the pairing, Skillshot will educate Northside about the esports industry, support research studies, and create content highlighting esports medicine.

Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network is a team of medical professionals focused on sports medicine, including orthopedics and performance experts. Services provided through the partnership to esports pros will include pre-performance screenings, endurance training, sports nutrition training, a team/league doctor, access to experts for physical and mental health management, and an injury training room.

Related Article: The Growth of Health Consciousness in Esports, Part I

“As the convergence of technology expands our definitions of ‘athletes and competition,’ Northside Sports Medicine is proud to step into this unique role,” said Dr. Vonda Wright MD, orthopedic surgeon and chief of the Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network. “Through preventive care and innovative research, we hope to maximize performance while minimizing injury for these pro players, while setting a standard of care for esports athletes at every level.”

Sports medicine is a growing area of interest within the esports industry and medical partnerships for esports teams are becoming more common. Just last week, NBA 2K team Magic Gaming signed a sponsorship and health services deal with regional healthcare network Orlando Health.