Is there a future in eSports?

Is there a Future in eSports?

There most certainly is. Still in its infancy, the eSports industry has made $696 million in 2019 (41.3% growth since last quarter) with an expected $1.5 billion by 2020 as brand investment doubles.

Like any sporting team, brand development is key to funding clubs, star players and future developments. Fifty-two companies sponsor the Brisbane Broncos team currently, all of which are contracted to varied levels of agreements and input toward the club. One of the sponsors includes the University of Queensland who are one of the first universities in Queensland to promote high school eSports.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, in 2018 viewers who tuned into Channel 7 to witness the AFL grand final featuring the clash of Collingwood to the West Coast Eagles drew a viewership of 3.38 million people. Just this year alone, the viewership ratings for the Mid-Season Invitational for League of Legends attracted a Twitch crowd of 60 million viewers. Much like conventional sport fans, viewers invested in their favourite teams, barracked for star players and communicate with other fans, all in the safety of their own home.

As this lucrative industry develops, perceptions of future careers and ‘eSport lifestyle’ does also. Australian sporting teams such as the Essendon Bombers have invested in eSports and their current League of Legends team, ‘Bombers’ are currently ranked second in the Oceanic Pro League (OPL).
NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers have also invested in eSports purchasing ‘Team Dignitas’ who are competing in the North American League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). Other sporting teams such as the ‘Brisbane Roar’ have opted to sponsor FIFA E-League events in 2019 and other sporting legends such as Mike Tyson and Shaquille O’Neal have invested in purchasing eSports teams.

These opportunities open a lot of doors for competitors whose interests and capabilities differ from the conventional sporting requirements.

The Chisholm CHIEFS are in the top 16 going into the finals for the QLD High School Championship hosted by the University of Queensland and the University of Queensland Union and will compete in four more tournaments before the end of the year.

How are you going to invest your support for our CHIEFS?

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