Crusader Talent Announces Landmark Partnership with Kick.com for Chess Content Creators

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. July 17th, 2024 – In an unprecedented move poised to transform the Chess community, Crusader Talent, a premier talent management agency representing an exclusive roster of content creators, today announced a landmark partnership with Kick. This collaboration unites some of the most influential chess streamers in a non-exclusive deal, including the USA’s first Chessboxing World Champion Matt Thomas aka MovingWithMat, and Maria Emelianova aka PhotoChess, Woman FIDE Master and renowned chess photographer.

This partnership suggests Kick is doubling down on the Chess category after signing Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, the five-time U.S. Chess Champion and World Rank #2, last year. This agreement represents one of the most substantial capital investments in Chess entertainment history.

The expansion into Chess follows Kick's recent renewal of contracts for 23 Old School RuneScape streamers, along with the addition of two new streamers.

Kick, founded in December 2022, has rapidly gained attention by prioritizing a creator-first philosophy, setting a new industry standard by offering an unprecedented revenue split—95% for the streamer and 5% for the platform. This model dramatically exceeds traditional revenue-sharing practices, offering creators the opportunity to retain a much larger share of their earnings, and empowering them to focus on what they love and do best: creating engaging, high-quality content. 

Mason Breeding, Chief Executive Officer of Crusader Talent, commented: “Chess content is burgeoning with more opportunities available for pro players and entertainers since the popularity boom from The Queen’s Gambit. This initial deal marks the beginning of Crusader’s commitment to service the Chess community alongside Kick. Making a comfortable living as a Chess professional or entertainer is very difficult and competitive, even for renowned Grandmasters. Kick’s injection of capital will allow creators to take the game to new heights. We’re very excited for this next chapter in Chess live-streaming entertainment.”

Matt Thomas aka MovingWithMat, content creator represented by Crusader Talent, said: “This Kick partnership is a game-changer for me personally, and the entire chessboxing community. We are trying to build a sport, and we need exposure to new audiences with engaging content to do that. Kick is paving the path forward for me to be a full-time chessboxing content creator.”

Maria Emelianova aka PhotoChess, content creator represented by Crusader Talent, said: “This deal proves that there are endless possibilities when you love what you do. Kick has landed some truly great chess content creators and I am honored to be joining them. As a female chess player, I hope to bring more women into this amazing game."

The full list of Chess and Old School RuneScape streamers contracted by Kick through Crusader Talent is as follows:

Chess:
James Canty III aka GMCanty, Matt Thomas aka MovingWithMat, Maria Emelianova aka PhotoChess, Naimisha aka DramaQueen_555, Nigarhan Gurpinar aka Naycir, and Hannah Sayce

Old School RuneScape new signings:
Skiddler and Rendi

Old School RuneScape contract renewals:
25_buttholes, Coxie, Ditterbitter, DollBlush, eliop14, EVscape, Fuse, Happery, HeBoxJonge, jcwrs, Jessy, Katerena, Manked, Muts, Pip, PrisonJoe, Puggin, Rhys, Ron_Plays_Games, SkillSpecs, Tastylife, Tellacon, and Zandie