---
title: "Former Microsoft Finance Manager Ventures into Esports to Debut XP League Esports Franchise in Seattle Area"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e77d50f5-eb84-40d2-8a68-674c532e9c82
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20231201_former_microsoft_finance_manager_ventures_into_esports_to_debut_xp_league_e.html
category: "Franchisors"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
segment: "Franchisors"
topics: ["Emerging brands","Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2023-12-01T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:05:34.230Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1559136555-9303baea8ebd?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Former Microsoft Finance Manager Ventures into Esports to Debut XP League Esports Franchise in Seattle Area

**TL;DR:** Rick Butenko, a former Microsoft finance manager, has debuted the XP League esports franchise in the Seattle area with his wife Elizabeth. The couple held a grand opening of the new XP League arena in Kirkland, Wash., and are confident in their ability to succeed in the Seattle market.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-12-01. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20231201_former_microsoft_finance_manager_ventures_into_esports_to_debut_xp_league_e.html).*

## Story

Rick Butenko is a former Microsoft employee who spent 12 years of his career in finance management before he was let go like many others throughout the major tech sector layoffs earlier this year. During his tenure at Microsoft, he honed his financial and consumer marketing expertise and is now choosing to roll those skills into business ownership with XP League, which he says is giving him the opportunity to work for himself and align his entrepreneurial portfolio with a tech passion.

He is running the business with his wife, Elizabeth Butenko, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with nearly 12 years of practice, who recently made a strategic decision to transition from her medical career. .

The couple held a grand opening of the new XP League arena at 12537 116th Ave. NE Kirkland, Wash. on Nov.

18. attended by families with kids aged in the range of seven to seventeen years old. Parents were able to sign their kids up for the winter season to compete with rolling admission in place so kids can still join mid-season and compete in league matches.

The Butenko’s are confident in their ability to succeed in the Seattle market. They say opening the esports franchise brand is not only providing the couple control over their own futures, but also a chance to build a family legacy for their three children and provide jobs and contribute to the economic impact in their local community.

“This venture represents more than just our passion for the growing esports industry. It’s also a strategic move for my career and my family’s financial stability,” said Rick Butenko. "This is a significant step in leveraging my expertise gained during my tenure at Microsoft, aligning it with our entrepreneurial ambitions, and building something that goes beyond just a business – it's a personal investment in our future success.”

Launched in 2020, XP League offers a nine-week seasonal program including one practice and one match a week. Each team is led by a coach who focuses on teaching resiliency, teamwork, and sportsmanship in addition to gaming skills. By integrating these values into the core format of its programming, kids see the positive reward as an exciting part of the overall experience.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Franchise Industry (sector)
- entrepreneurship (topic)
- Microsoft (company)
- Seattle (location)
- career transition (topic)
- franchise debut (topic)
- esports franchise (topic)
- tech sector (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20231201_former_microsoft_finance_manager_ventures_into_esports_to_debut_xp_league_e.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e77d50f5-eb84-40d2-8a68-674c532e9c82).