Ghost Gaming Takes Commercial Role in Kennesaw State Call of Duty Program

Ghost Gaming and Kennesaw State University announced a partnership Thursday through Ghost Academy, the Atlanta-based organization’s development program, under which Ghost becomes the commercial development partner for a new Kennesaw State Call of Duty team, according to a release from Ghost Gaming. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, KSU will field a Premier roster in publisher-approved collegiate and amateur competitions, with Ghost supporting coaching and player development, while the university keeps responsibility for recruitment, eligibility, academic oversight and facilities.

Ghost will work with KSU to develop sponsorship and brand opportunities around the program, with jersey sponsorships, broadcast integrations, watch parties and sponsored video series among the options named in the announcement, and students are to take part in building and activating those deals. The partners did not disclose the financial terms or how sponsorship revenue will be shared. Ghost, part of Georgia-based Resurgens Gaming, said it is committing more than $1 million annually to its Georgia operations, a figure that also covers player development, workforce curriculum, K-12 esports and game development rather than this deal alone.

Ghost has run school-age teams under its academy brand before, and as previously reported by The Esports Advocate, it recognized youth XP League players as Ghost Gaming Academy teams in 2023 . The companies describe the KSU deal as an early example of a planned Georgia Esports Network linking the state’s colleges with esports companies, sponsors and employers, at a time when other schools are pulling back: TEA’s College Esports Closures & Cuts Tracker counts 26 schools that have closed or cut esports programs since 2022. The partnership is logged in TEA’s new College Esports Deals Tracker .