The first associations that come up when talking about sports are loud crowds, dramatic games, eternal rivals, and lots of physical skill. Well, actually this would be the case a few years ago when sports were still played on the fields and in gyms. Today, it is a whole different story and the globe is being conquered by the new form of entertainment that is altering the whole perception of professional athletes.
Did you guess what is it? It is esports, the form of entertainment where individuals compete in online video games. Although it has been around for many years, it is very recent that it is gaining huge popularity among the audience. The popularity is so big that the whole industry is expected to be valued at more than $1 billion by 2025.
But what is so appealing about esports? In the beginning, it appeals to the younger generation, who grow up with access to the latest technology, being an audience that was before hard to reach. It is convenient, and easily reachable, with an enthusiastic audience all over the world. Unlike traditional sports, esports does not require any physical strength, but a lot of skill, strategic moves, and a tiny bit of talent.
If we did not spark your curiosity yet, keep reading and take a look at how esports is transforming the sports sector and what effect it has on traditional sports.
Overview of the Sports Industry
Competitive video gaming, where individuals compete in an online environment, is now known as esports. It is a business that dates from the early 1970s, but it has only recently gained huge publicity and success. This was significantly helped by technological advancements achieved in the last few years, including the accessibility of the internet.
Types of games played include first-person shooters, multiplayer combat games, and real-time strategy games. Some of the most popular games include The League of Legends, Dota, and Fortnite. All three of these games have internationally recognized championships that welcome thousands of players from all over the world throughout the year.
From a financial aspect, the revenue in the esports sector can be obtained from different sources, among which are sponsorship deals, partnerships, advertisement, and broadcasting rights.
How is it Affecting Traditional Sports?
Esports is bringing a younger audience into the sports industry. The average age of an esports enthusiast is 26 years old, while that of a traditional sports fan is 47 years old. Traditional sports organizations have understood this demographic shift and are now expanding their businesses to esports, as well.
Many traditional sports organizations have already started to invest in or host esports teams and competitions. For example, the NBA 2K League, an esports league, was founded in 2018 by the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ever since its beginning, the league has experienced huge success and new teams are joining each year. Major League Soccer (MLS) was another 2018th debut in the esports league, called eMLS. The league has a vast fan base, and its popularity is on the rise.
Esports is also changing the way people consume sports content. Tournaments are now streamed online and are allowing fans to witness the action from the comfort of their own homes. In 2015, the National Football League (NFL) debuted NFL Game Pass, which took a step further with its streaming service. With this program, fans can watch live games and rewatch previous games.
Future Views on Esports and Professional Sports
When speaking of professional sports, esport has a promising future in this area. Many organizations are examining the prospect of collaborating with traditional sports groups and esports. The NBA collaborated with Take-Two Interactive to launch the NBA 2K League in 2018. The league has been a success, and there are plans to expand the collaboration to include more games. To get first-hand access into the world of esport, 22esport.gg offers insight into upcoming matches, live games, and results of various esports competitions and games.
The success of esports can be proven by its potential to become an Olympic sport. In 2018 International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized it as a sport, and later that year it was included as a demonstration sport in the Asian Games. While there are certain obstacles to go over, such as deciding which games to include and how to manage the sector, esports has the potential to get a permanent presence in the Olympic Games.
Coming to end, the only thing left is to face the reality and accept esport as a new form of entertainment. It is a truly exciting journey to see what the future holds for both esports and traditional sports and how they will continue to affect one another. Shall we say goodbye to the traditional sport, or will they find a way to coexist? It remains to be seen.
