NURO Renews Team Sponsorship Agreement with Professional eSports Team "REJECT"

Sony Network Communications Inc.'s telecommunications service brand "NURO" has renewed its team sponsorship agreement with "REJECT," a professional eSports team operated by REJECT Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shoya Koyama; hereinafter "REJECT"). "NURO" will support the development and enhancement of eSports value from a telecommunications perspective, while also aiming to provide rich communication experiences as a Sony Group telecommunications service.

Through various internet-centric services, "NURO" has delivered thrilling experiences created by the Sony Group, including games and music, via communication. Among these, "NURO Hikari," the high-speed fiber optic service under the "NURO" brand, has been utilized by many game users who prioritize communication speed and stability since its launch in April 2013. Currently, NURO is strengthening the standardization of its 10-gigabit service, which enables even faster and higher-capacity communication. Furthermore, through the team sponsorship agreement with "REJECT," NURO sincerely incorporates feedback from professional players and members to continuously improve its services.

With this contract renewal, the design of "REJECT"'s uniform will be changed.

In eSports, communication lines are the lifeline for players, and high-speed, stable communication leads to improved player performance. "NURO," together with "REJECT," will continue to provide an environment where game players and professional eSports fans can play comfortably and create rich experiences and value through the internet. By further demonstrating synergy with various Sony Group companies, NURO aims to connect to even deeper and more passionate emotional experiences.

**"REJECT" x "NURO" Initiatives for FY2025** Since April 2023, "NURO Hikari," one of the "NURO" brands, began its team sponsorship agreement with "REJECT." Under the banner of "Powered by NURO Hikari," various streaming events have been held, supporting the thrilling experiences of players and viewers from a communication standpoint.

At "Tokyo Game Show 2025," held in September 2025, "NURO" collaborated with "REJECT" to exhibit an experiential booth where visitors could virtually experience the excitement of eSports. On a stage set up within the "REJECT" booth, a special event titled "Five Gods Assemble in TGS Presented by NURO" featured the "Five Gods of Fighting Games" – Umehara, Tokido, Haitani, Sako, and Oonuki. As the venue was filled with excitement during the talk and exhibition match of the Five Gods, reunited after 14 years, the event was simultaneously live-streamed online, delivering excitement worldwide.

Following last year, in FY2025, NURO will continue to participate in the industry-academia collaboration education system "Corporate Project" implemented by Fukuoka Design & Technology College and Kobe Koyo Design & Technology College. Through this project, students are provided with opportunities to plan, produce, and operate eSports events and promotional videos, supporting future creators.

**■ "Powered by NURO" Connecting Players and Fans for Thrilling Experiences** **◯ "Tokyo Game Show 2025" Experiential Booth Exhibition and Special Event:** https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001490.000000196.html "NURO" sponsored "Tokyo Game Show 2025" and, in collaboration with "REJECT," exhibited a booth where visitors could virtually experience the excitement of eSports. Furthermore, at the venue, a special event "Five Gods Assemble in TGS Presented by NURO" featuring the "Five Gods of Fighting Games" was held and simultaneously live-streamed online.

**■ Industry-Academia Collaboration Education System "Corporate Project"** **◯ Corporate Project:** Since December 2024, NURO has participated in the industry-academia collaboration education system "Corporate Project" implemented by Fukuoka Design & Technology College and Kobe Koyo Design & Technology College, supporting future creators.

**【About Professional eSports Team "REJECT"】** REJECT is an eSports team established in 2018. It boasts the highest number of title divisions and world tournament appearances in Japan, with cumulative prize money exceeding 750 million yen, ranking first domestically. Furthermore, REJECT was selected as a partner team for the FOUNDATION CLUB PARTNER PROGRAM 2025, which selects only 40 teams worldwide for the ESPORTS WORLD CUP, an international tournament with a total prize pool exceeding 10 billion yen. With iconic players such as Daigo Umehara in the fighting game division and Dep in the shooting game division, REJECT continues to challenge for the top of the world. Official Website: https://reject.jp/ REJECT Supporter Special Site: https://reject.jp/supporter/

**【About REJECT HUB】** NURO lines have been installed in "REJECT HUB," a community space optimized for gaming, which opened in 2024.

**【"REJECT x NURO Hikari" Special Site】** Members of "REJECT" who use "NURO" measure actual speeds and conduct regular reviews. Through dialogue projects and other initiatives, NURO sincerely incorporates feedback from "REJECT" members to further improve its services. *Please refer to the special site for details. https://www.nuro.jp/lp/reject/special/

**【About the "NURO" Brand】** "NURO" is a network service brand that encompasses mobile and corporate services, centered around NURO Hikari. With the slogan "UNLOCK NEW YOU," NURO aims to create opportunities for people to move forward to new possibilities through various internet-centric services. *Please refer to the official website for details. https://www.nuro.jp/brand/

**【About "NURO Hikari," Sony Group's Telecommunications Service】** "NURO Hikari" is a fiber optic service launched in 2013, characterized by high-speed communication and reasonable prices. Aiming to provide rich experiences via the internet, NURO is strengthening the standardization of its 10-gigabit service, which enables even faster and higher-capacity communication, and promoting the improvement of customers' communication experiences.