MTV Joins Snoop for Pro Gaming

Snoop Dogg's Hip-Hop Gaming League (HHGL) has joined up with MTV to promote its inaugural season. The finals for the season will take place May 13 in Los Angeles, just after the annual E3 show has rolled out of town. MTV will promote the HHGL events through on air and online programming across multiple platforms. The finals for the season will air as part of Sucker Free on MTV2 in May. And the G-Hole, MTV's newest videogame show, will feature segments promoting HGGL.

In addition to Snoop Dogg, the league includes  personalities  from the worlds of hip-hop, sports and entertainment like  Paul Wall, Just Blaze, Twista, David Banner, Krayzie Bone of Grammy winners Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, MLS Star Cobi Jones, Murs, Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins, NBA Star Jalen Rose, Fredwreck, BReal of Cypress Hill, Eric V. of the Baka Boyz and Method Man.

Microsoft is the primary sponsor of the league, providing Xbox 360 hardware for the competitions. The games will be played over Microsoft Xbox Live service, which is a growing favorite among pro gaming leagues and TV shows surrounding these events. HGGL players will compete on 2K Sports' "NBA 2K6" and Electronic Arts' "Madden NFL 06" for this inaugural season.

The Global Gaming League, which recently brokered a deal to buy airtime on USA Network to offer taped shows surrounding their own events, is working with the HGGL for this event. The May 13 event will feature two HHGL semi-final matches, the HHGL championship match, and a VIP exhibition tournament.  All matches will be played on customized HHGL Xbox 360s.  The live event will also feature music performances by A-list talent.

More opportunities are opening up for TV and online coverage of professional videogame events and celebrity events that celebrate gaming. MTV's continued involvement in this space (the network worked with the Cyberathlete Professional League last year) makes sense with its younger demographic. Younger gamers watch MTV and the musical artists involved in games makes this particular opportunity a perfect fit.