The Next College Student Athlete program, who scout for potential college sports players, has added a new sport to look for on its roster. Katy is one of the cities in the States where eSports is being actively scouted and a Class of 2019 graduate from Obra D Thompkins High can be seen among the featured athletes for the game of Overwatch. Is eSports now legitimately viewed as equally important to traditional sports? What can be done to reach a parity of athletes and gamers?
Audience Engagement
One of the biggest coups for eSports was when people began to wager on the games as they would traditional sports. Part of the reason sports are popular is that spectators can get involved and feel a sense of ownership and personal responsibility when it comes to a team’s success or failure. eSports has been added to many sports betting sites, which indicates that it is increasing its legitimacy compared to traditional sports.
As the list of the number of betting markets for virtually every sport signifies, there are many options for those wanting to add an extra level to simply observing watching the game. Variety from betting sites helps to attract more bettors because it ranges from mainstream sports like football to niche sports like curling. Many now offer eSports, as a point of difference from competitors, which demonstrates the further legitimization of eSports alongside traditional sports. In addition to this, it also gives fans of eSports the same chance to bet on their favorite teams.
Streaming on sites like Twitch also helps gain spectators. As traditional sports have dedicated TV networks and plenty of ways to watch at all levels, this is becoming the case for eSports too. Individual players or teams cultivate large audiences of spectators and sports channels such as ESPN are also giving airtime to the eSports industry. Engaging with audiences in much the same way as traditional sports helps give eSports greater validity.
Player Pay
One of the covetable aspects of sports players is the large paycheck that comes with the job, as well as the auxiliary benefits of being a recognizable name and face. eSports is showing that it too can provide the same platform for those who participate. Not only are eSports players often well-compensated, but there is an increase of players who live together in large houses with their needs catered for while they train. In the same way that athletes have clubhouses and are taken care of, so too are eSports players.
As the list of recent eSports players impressive earnings shows, some can rake in six figures. Although these large payments are often in the form of prize funds and not in monthly salary, many are then selected to be in a team and will play for the prestige of the team and the sponsorship. Sponsorship deals can be lucrative and reflect the way most sports teams have sponsors.
The recognizability of some of the players also portrays how lucrative the industry could be for its players. Younger generations are more likely to recognize prolific eSports players, who are beginning to capture the same attention that professional athletes do. The covetable position of the job also makes it an aspirational one, which helps feed into the authenticity of the industry.
Could eSports Be Better Than Traditional Sports?
One of the best aspects of eSports compared to traditional sports is that those who can get involved have fewer barriers to entry. While both forms of entertainment require hours spent practicing, eSports does not require the physical prowess that traditional sports do. The scouting for sports like football or soccer means that many who want to play professionally are often overlooked due to a lack of physical ability.
The nature of eSports means that players from all around the world, including in poorer areas, are able to play. Streaming on sites like Twitch means that players can develop fanbases and can propel themselves into the spotlight. This is reflective of the way fame and job opportunities abound for anyone who has social media savvy and can turn it into a personal brand. The popularity of influencer types means that we are used to people carving out their own roles. Unlike traditional sports, eSports can also show someone’s skills in the field, especially with the number of people who would watch on Twitch.
eSports is a force to be reckoned with, and with growing parity with traditional sports such as football, even the most technophobic are understanding the industry and its benefits. It mimics the way traditional sports are played, and players are found while reflecting the digital world we live in. As the scouts in Katy show, it’s not just the Rockets, Texans, and Astros who are actively looking for their next crop of players, but the gaming versions of them too.