The Philadelphia 76ers have joined the mainstream move into esports with the acquisition of organizations Team Dignitas and Apex.

The 76ers are the first American professional sports franchise to purchase an esports team. German soccer club FC Schalke 04 purchased a League of Legends team in May and competed in the European League Championship Series Summer Split.

Despite being the first American pro team to enter the esports arena, they aren't the only American investors thus far. Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox purchased Echo Fox last year and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is an investor NRG eSports alongside Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins and the co-owners of the Sacramento Kings.

Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko also purchased North American franchise Renegades in August.

The 76ers take over the controlling stake in the teams, although complete terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Apex is set to compete in the North American League Championship Series next spring and will now represent the Dignitas brand when the next split begins.

Dignitas has been in the esports arena for over a decade and features teams in League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Heroes of the Storm, Smite and Overwatch.

76ers CEO Scott O’Neil has enlisted the help of longtime technology and gaming executive Greg Richardson to help with the foray into a new market.

"The market created itself and became a product that a quarter billion people are watching, and when they watch, they're watching an hour and half a day," Richardson told ESPN. "But at the same time, it's an incredibly large, immature market that is somewhat of a Wild West."

"We like to be agents of change, rather than sit and watch from the sidelines," O'Neil added.