Press Coverage
USC Games
How did an attorney turn into a wavemaker in the esports and gaming industry?
USC alumnus Jimmy Baratta (’10) sits down with USC Games Editorial to share his journey and helpful tips for those who are looking to break into new spaces.
The Business of Esports Podcast
From the keyboard to the boardroom... special guest Jimmy Baratta discusses breaking into esports, Riot wire-taps, PlayStation x Discord, Resident Evil Game Pass Exclusion, Sony Cross-Play Cash Cow, and more, with host Paul Dawalibi and William Collis.
Esportz Network Guest: Jimmy Baratta
Jimmy Baratta has done a bit of everything in esports. From building a massive Instagram Clan to working with Tier 1 orgs, to focusing on scholastic esports. Click the link and choose between two feature episodes wherein Jimmy Baratta discusses and his work through the NACL, UCI and more.
Yahoo Sports: Jimmy Baratta, Esports Entrepreneur
Today, esports shows no signs of slowing down. With the world economy likely to reopen within the next year, it is only fitting that the gaming industry's affordable recreation will continue to grow. Enter James Paul Baratta: a former civil litigation attorney from California. In the past few years, Baratta's esports deals have penetrated all levels of the industry. From advising Grammy-winning talent on in-game live events, to brokering deals with Forbes-listed orgs, Baratta has demonstrated an ability to maneuver through the complexities of business life and add tremendous value to his clients.
Esports Strategist Jimmy Baratta Joins XSET Gaming
Baratta has long helped the esports community since his early career as an attorney. He especially contributed in the early days by helping found the North American Collegiate League (NACL), a non-profit supporting collegiate esports. Right now, he heads user acquisition and strategy initiatives for Wizard Labs, a software developing platform focusing on AI content creation. Jimmy Baratta is also an advisor for Esportz Network, including on its programming show, The Gamer Hour.
Holodeck Media Names Jimmy Baratta as Chief Gaming Officer
Paul Dawalibi, President and CEO of Holodeck Media, announced today the appointment of Jimmy Baratta, J.D., as its new Chief Gaming Officer. Jimmy is based in Los Angeles and will be leading the creation and commercialization of new content focused on gaming, esports and the rapidly evolving world of the Metaverse, a future iteration of the internet, made up of persistent, shared virtual spaces linked into a perceived virtual universe.
Alumnus Turns Passion for Gaming into Career
Jimmy Baratta, J.D., ‘06 is the Chief Gaming Officer of Holodeck Ventures. He is also an investor and strategist for competitive org and lifestyle brand XSET, as well as an instructor of esports at the University of California, Irvine.
Influencive: Esports Strategist Jimmy Baratta Feature
Baratta transitioned into the video game industry in 2017 by creating his consultancy practice FT Empire LLC, through which he networked to find his first projects. As a gaming enthusiast, he educated non endemic clients on ecosystem nuances. These deals manifested in live stream events to promote charitable causes, in-game concerts with top-tier publishers, and tournament streaming agreements.
Making a Mark in Esports
“I understood the value that the UCI name commanded, and the respect its esports program had already garnered for itself,” he said. “The course that I teach, Overview of Esports, prepares the newcomer and the existing business professional alike with the knowledge and tools to transition into the gaming industry. It lays the foundation, identifies networking opportunities and other resources and outlets to achieve success.”
New York Wire: James Paul Baratta Builds Successful Gaming Career
Gaming is a world unifier, and it is an activity that is enjoyed in many ages across all cultures. Especially given the global transition from the real world to the digital, even the older population is becoming tech-savvy and more open to technology-based activities, including video gaming. ICEBRKRSCLAN boasts of a network of content creators who can access a downstream audience of over 2 million across various platforms.
L.A. Wire: Jimmy Baratta Drives Millennials and Gen Z into the Future
There seems to be no stopping Jimmy Baratta in his passion for esports, and its community. Keeping his hands full, he actively consults for his mentor Clinton Sparks of XSET as well as The Esportz Network. Jimmy is also the current Head of User Acquisition for the software developer, Wizard Labs under CEO Royce Disini, and is impressively the new Vice President of Special Events for XR Sports, of which Hector Rodriguez is on the board.
NY Weekly: It’s Game Time for James Paul Baratta, Esteemed Esports Consultant
The world of esports is vastly making its mark in the digital world. It may have been seen before as nothing but a hobby, a simple video game to pass the time. However, esports is becoming a legitimate field for people to pursue their career. In line with this, the legalities for establishing a good esports company plays a vital role. Wherein James Paul Baratta comes to play.
The California Herald: Esports Professor Jimmy Baratta Shows Us How to Make it in the Industry
As for his future, Baratta continues to advise talent, teams, and developers through FT Empire. Most recently, he has aligned himself with the University of California Irvine, where he accepted a professorship to teach in their esports tract. As an Orange County native, he is excited for the opportunity to give back to his local community. Baratta hopes his post with UCI leads to more opportunities in education and mentorship. “It certainly fills me with purpose to provide resources and opportunities to the next generation of gamers. It’s something I hope to continue for years to come.”
The American Reporter: It’s Never Too Late To Fulfill Your Dreams
Due to the rise in popularity with the game Fortnite, Jimmy states that ICE shifted focus in 2018 and 2019, almost exclusively on Fortnite, by Epic Games. Today, ICEBRKRSCLAN features content creators and competitors in a variety of games ranging from Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Seige, Counter Strike Global Offensive, Apex Legends, Valorant, NBA2k, and more. The clan offers its members and creators to play any and all games of interest, and across all platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Mobile.
Famous Times: James Paul Baratta, Esports Entrepreneur
In the next couple of years, James Paul Baratta hopes for nothing more but for his consultancy firm, FT Empire, to continue to give insightful advice to interested esports organizations and other related businesses. As the industry continues to expand in leaps and bounds, James hopes to be at the forefront of innovative approaches in promoting new products and events. His dedication to contribute in growing the industry sustainably will ensure that future generations get to experience the best aspects of the gaming industry.
San Francisco Post: James Paul Baratta Pushes Beyond Doubts to Build a Career In Esports
There is a prejudice that people get when they say they want to build their careers around video games and esports. The criticism always comes with a lecture on how such a career only leads to a dead-end. However, James Paul Baratta is among the individuals who broke through the doubts and has made a living with esports.
Portland News: James Paul Baratta on Pursuing His Passion and Taking a Chance
In life, what may seem like the ultimate destination can often turn out to be just one of the many temporary stops along the way. As a matter of fact, James Paul Baratta knows more than anyone else that some journeys end so that even greater ones can begin. Indeed, there is no shortcut to success. And according to James, the least that one can do is enjoy the ride and learn from it.
Voyage NY: It’s Game Time for James Paul Baratta, Esteemed Esports Consultant
The world of esports is vastly making its mark in the digital world. It may have been seen before as nothing but a hobby, a simple video game to pass the time. However, esports is becoming a legitimate field for people to pursue their career. In line with this, the legalities for establishing a good esports company plays a vital role. Wherein James Paul Baratta comes to play.
Entertainment Monthly: James Paul Baratta on Why He Left a Top Notch Profession to Pursue His Passion
Often, life has its way of turning things around for the better. While it may not be the path that one had set for the future, sometimes it is in these unexpected detours where people find the true meaning of their existence. As a matter of fact, James Paul Baratta proves to be a genuine attestation of finding a purpose amidst experiencing one of life’s greatest plot twists. And instead of becoming upset by these unpredictable circumstances, he continues to strive for the best, even on unfamiliar grounds. Now, as a former litigation attorney who turned into an esports magnate, James sheds light on how the road towards greatness is far from being a straight path.
Medium: Jimmy Baratta on Changing Careers
Pursuing one’s passion is easier said than done. There can be numerous reasons that make it challenging to change careers or start in a new field. Jimmy Baratta was a successful lawyer who decided to follow his dreams and work in an area he has been passionate about since he was a child — gaming.
Yahoo Finance: Jimmy Baratta, Esports Entrepreneur
Today, esports shows no signs of slowing down. With the world economy likely to reopen within the next year, it is only fitting that the gaming industry's affordable recreation will continue to grow. Enter James Paul Baratta: a former civil litigation attorney from California. In the past few years, Baratta's esports deals have penetrated all levels of the industry. From advising Grammy-winning talent on in-game live events, to brokering deals with Forbes-listed orgs, Baratta has demonstrated an ability to maneuver through the complexities of business life and add tremendous value to his clients.
London Daily Post: How James Paul Baratta Succeeds in Pursuit of Esports
For people who grew up with the advancement of technology, escapism comes in many forms. Social media, streaming services, accessibility, and video games have helped many people get away from the difficulties that life throws at them. In particular, video games have made a huge impact on the lives of millions of people like James Paul Baratta.