TORONTO — Chris Overholt is stepping down as CEO of OverActive Media.
The esports company says Overholt is leaving “to pursue another opportunity” but will stay on as a strategic adviser for 30 days to help the transition. Adam Adamou, OverActive’s co-founder and chief strategy officer, will serve as interim CEO.
Overholt co-founded OverActive in 2018 after serving eight years as CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
“Under Chris’ leadership, OverActive has emerged as one of the world’s leading esports organizations,” OverActive chair Sheldon Pollack said in a statement. “His experience, passion and vision for our potential has established a strong foundation on which we will continue building our business.”
Overholt served as the Toronto Raptors director of corporate marketing from 1996 to ’98 before working as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s vice-president of sales and services from 1998 to 2003.
He worked for the Florida Panthers and Miami Dolphins after that prior to heading up the COC.
During Overholt’s tenure with OverActive, he brought in such name investors as The Weeknd, Leafs winger Mitch Marner, Bell and the Montreal Canadiens. He also helped the company go public on the Toronto Venture Exchange in 2021.
Overactive owns esports franchises in the Overwatch League (Toronto Defiant), Call of Duty League (Toronto Ultra), North American Valorant Challengers League (MAD Lions), and the League of Legends European Championship (MAD Lions, playing out of Berlin).
The company is also working on a new entertainment venue at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. With a projected completion date of 2025, the 7,200-seat venue is expected to host everything from esports to music and fashion events.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 23, 2023.
