*By Carlo Versano* PC hardware and accessory maker Logitech has been around since the early 1980s but is hitting a new stride as the provider of high-end gaming equipment. Sales from its gaming division grew 75 percent in the latest quarter [from a year ago](https://www.nasdaq.com/article/why-is-logitech-logi-up-128-since-last-earnings-report-cm1015021). And that's only the beginning, according to president and CEO Bracken Darrell. He said Friday in an interview on Cheddar that esports could become "the biggest sport in the world." "Esports is a big story for everybody, especially everybody under the age of 25," he said. That's where Logitech is placing its bets. The company recently released the $150 G PRO Wireless Mouse after a two-year development process that involved more than 50 pro-gamers. The mouse has earned rave reviews and gained serious industry cred after it was used by the winning team at the [Overwatch League Championship] (https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/28/17626004/overwatch-league-finals-winner-season-one-london-spitfire) in July. Darrell said that Logitech's suite of gaming products ー keyboards, mice, headsets, and now microphones ー are intended to fully service both pro and amateur gamers. The company acquired Blue, a maker of studio-quality mics, as part of that strategy. That followed its earlier purchase of Astro, which makes gaming headsets. As eSports lead a revolution in PC gaming, Logitech also sees a branding and product design opportunity. "Thanks to Apple, brands really matter in hardware" Darrell said. The company's sleek black products and glowing blue logos are a far cry from its early days as a maker of peripherals for boxy PCs. While Logitech is a hardware company by nature, Darrell said he wouldn't rule out a shift to software or platforms. But it's tricky, he warned. "We want to enable \[both title developers \] and the people who play their games to be successful." Darrell said he thinks the current kings of eSports ー whether "Fortnite," "Overwatch," or "League of Legends" ー have staying power in a notoriously fickle industry. So much so that he's said it's ["inevitable"](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/08/07/logitech-ceo-esports-olympics.html) that eSports will eventually become an Olympic category. If and when that day comes, Logitech hopes to be the brand pros turn to, just as they would Nike. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/logitech-gaming-hardware-becomes-most-profitable-division-for-company).

Share:
More In Business
Spain fines Airbnb $75 million for unlicensed tourist rentals
Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros or $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The consumer rights ministry announced the fine on Monday. The ministry stated that many listings lacked proper license numbers or included incorrect information. The move is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rental companies amid a housing affordability crisis especially in popular urban areas. The ministry ordered Airbnb in May to remove around 65,000 listings for similar violations. The government's consumer rights minister emphasized the impact on families struggling with housing. Airbnb said it plans to challenge the fine in court.
Roomba maker iRobot files for bankruptcy protection; will be taken private under restructuring
Roomba maker iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but says that it doesn’t expect any disruptions to devices as the more than 30-year-old company is taken private under a restructuring process. iRobot said that it is being acquired by Picea through a court-supervised process. Picea is the company's primary contract manufacturer. The Bedford, Massachusetts-based anticipates completing the prepackaged chapter 11 process by February.
Serbia organized crime prosecutors charge minister, others in connection with Kushner-linked project
Serbia’s prosecutor for organized crime has charged a government minister and three others with abuse of position and falsifying of documents related to a luxury real estate project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The charges came on Monday. The investigation centers on a controversy over a a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound by a company linked to Kushner. The $500 million proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad. Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by falsifying documentation.
Load More