In 2018 we founded the world’s first independent FIFA (now EA FC) academy. Today, Team Gullit is pioneering the gaming industry, and revolutionizing sports marketing.
When we launched Team Gullit, talented EA FC players struggled to break through internationally if they weren’t part of a pro football club. Many had the skill, but only few managed to make it to the big stage. We decided to shake things up. Team Gullit has since risen to the top, securing the FIFAe World Cup and reshaping the sports marketing landscape along the way.
- 1🏆FIFAe World Cup
- 1🏆eChampions League
- 1.6MPrize Money
- 1.1MCommunity members
- 460MYearly Social Reach
Turning promising talents into the world’s best athletes
Team Gullit is the Valhalla for up-and-coming EA FC talents. The team consists of multiple coaches, scouting the most promising talents, offering them professional training, coaching, and mentoring – on and off the pitch. The team also guides their talents in building their personal brand. It’s all about reaching their next level. Top level.
In an industry dominated by professional football clubs and esports organizations, Team Gullit is unique. It was the first team in the esports scene to embrace a retired ‘legendary’ football player, bridging the gap between real sports and virtual sports. The decision to partner with Ruud Gullit was a natural one, given his iconic status in the history of traditional football and his adoration among today’s gamers, who consider him one of the finest EA FC in-game players. He serves as a charismatic figurehead, appealing to both sponsors' decision-makers and their intended audience.
Experience is key for success, and Team Gullit understands this very well. The team partnered with professional football organizations such as AFC Ajax, PSV, and Benfica to provide their young EA FC players with invaluable chances to shine in major competitions. The coach-player combination often guarantees performance, granting the affiliated clubs to compete in the biggest tournaments, creating mutual benefit.
In 2023, Team Gullit achieved its greatest (competitive) feat by winning the FIFAe World Cup. Leading up to this moment, the team had already enjoyed immense success, securing titles such as the eChampions League, the ePremier League, and multiple national competitions. As a result of their remarkable success, prominent sports organizations, including the Royal Dutch Football Association and Atlanta United FC sought their coaching and development expertise, forming partnerships with Team Gullit.
Content & community-first strategy
Success sells. Besides developing its own players, Team Gullit educates the EA FC community through active presence on social media platforms. The team produces a diverse range of content, catering to both casual and competitive players. By sharing tutorials, tips and tricks, and insightful player and team analysis posts, Team Gullit has become one of the leading communities in the world of EA FC. At present, the academy boasts a following of over 1,1 million members, showcasing incredible monthly growth and engagement rates.
Team Gullit’s substantial increase in reach and community growth (+110% YOY) can primarily be attributed to its adaptation of short-form content. The TikTok-style content remains incredibly popular and was adopted by other major social media platforms, such as YouTube and Instagram. The snappier, the better. By embracing the trends, Team Gullit generated more than 380 million in reach over a year (+551% YOY).
Engaging a difficult-to-reach audience
The Team Gullit community consists of a mainly young generation (Y, Z, Alpha) who are typically hard to reach through traditional marketing methods. Their primary source of entertainment is gaming, either playing or watching. Team Gullit engages with this audience through social media, in-game content, and content series, effectively communicating within their world. This approach resonates with the target group’s preferences as it aligns with the content they naturally consume. Partnering with Team Gullit and integrating products and logos into their creative campaigns enables companies to effectively reach their target audience.
Shaking up the landscape
Five years ago, major brands hesitated to enter the market. Now, sponsors increasingly prefer esports marketing over traditional sports marketing. Advertising opportunities include player sponsorships, event naming, and in-game promotions. Currently, the Philips OneBlade logo is proudly displayed on the physical and in-game Team Gullit jerseys, visible to all players in the EA FC game. This mirrors the marketing strategy employed by brands in real-life sports, but there is a distinction. In real-life sports, visibility occurs once or twice a week, whereas in-game sponsorships are constantly active. The game never sleeps.
Team Gullit is committed to creating value-based partnerships that align with their core values of innovation, excellence, and development. The academy has partnered with companies like Philips, Red Bull, New Balance, and Omen, primarily focusing on building brand awareness. This happens through social media visibility, hosting esports and gaming events with brands, and crafting attention-grabbing creative concepts. Notable achievements include the YouTube series Philips OneBlade Icons, The Next E-Talent: Team Gullit series on RTL's Videoland, and the #STAYATHOMECUP organized with Red Bull during the COVID-19 lockdown. All concepts that hit home with the target audience.
Solid change starts here
Contact us and let's get started.
