Nyvi Estephan has officially stepped onto the playing field as president of Nyvelados FC, ready to mix her extensive experience from the esports domain with the traditional sports world for the highly anticipated Kings League Brazil, set to kick off this March. Estephan’s transformation from gaming influencer to football team president is capturing attention across the nation as she takes on this unique opportunity.
With the Kings League Brazil just around the corner, Estephan launched her podcast, NYVELADOS, to explore the universe of football. Set to air its first episode on February 21, 2025, she will invite notable figures from the sport, starting with former football star Denílson, to discuss the ins and outs of football, offering Estephan guidance as she navigates her new role.
A vibrant personality known for her work within the gaming community, Nyvi finds herself confronting new challenges as she transitions to football. "Fazer essa transição dos esports para os esportes é um grande desafio, mas também uma oportunidade de aprender com os melhores. O podcast, além de ser um espaço de entretenimento, será essencial para me ajudar a encarar esse novo mundo com mais segurança e conhecimento," she explained, highlighting her approach to learning and adapting to the football culture.
Overseeing Nyvelados FC's training is Rafael Dabá, whose coaching experience includes championships with top Brazilian clubs such as Flamengo and Vasco. His extensive background, including achievements like being a two-time world champion with the Brazilian national team, is set to inform his strategies as he leads the team through the Kings League Brazil.
Launched by former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, the Kings League revolutionizes traditional football by introducing innovative match formats, interactivity, and prominent influencers, reshaping how fans engage with the game. Nyvi expressed her excitement about this initiative, stating, "Receber esse convite foi muito legal, porque o Piqué estava procurando grandes nomes para fazer essa liga acontecer no Brasil, e eles cogitaram o meu. Esse é o tipo de coisa que eu gosto de participar...." Her enthusiasm for being part of this innovative project is evident as she connects her background with the gaming industry.
Estephan also believes strongly in the intersection between traditional sports and esports. "Acredito que essa união é muito natural, pois os esportes tradicionais sempre buscaram novas formas de se reinventar," she noted, citing the inevitable blending of both worlds as brands recognize the significance of the gaming community. This connection is particularly relevant as the Kings League Brazil strives to attract younger audiences, integrating familiar dynamics from the esports scene.
With the league's opening still months away, Nyvi is confident about Nyvelados FC's potential impact. She stated, "A competição é incrível no mundo inteiro, mas no Brasil ela é um produto aquém." Reflecting on Brazil’s status as the home of football and the increasing engagement with technology and gaming, Estephan emphasized, "Estamos acreditando muito no projeto... Acredito que a Kings no Brasil vai bombar!" She believes the innovative nature of Kings League will resonate deeply with the Brazilian audience, fostering excitement and engagement like never before.
Overall, as Nyvi Estephan leads Nyvelados FC onto the field, her blending of the worlds of esports and traditional sports signals new opportunities for engagement, representation, and talent cultivation amid the vibrant scenery of the Kings League Brazil.
Each episode of the NYVELADOS podcast, airing every Friday at 7 PM, will continuously feature meaningful guests and discussions about football leadership, team dynamics, and the experiences of women taking on leadership roles within the sport. Nyvi's narrative reflects her commitment to both advancing her knowledge of football and creating avenues for greater female representation within this industry.