Esports and sports are moving closer together as NFL, NBA and other leagues chase fans
Professional sports face a growing challenge. Fans still tune in for the biggest games, but it can be hard to get them to stay for anything beyond that. With so many forms of digital entertainment competing for screen time, leagues are under pressure to find new ways to hold interest.
Esports has filled the gap for millions of viewers. Competitive gaming now draws global audiences for everything from football simulations like Madden and EA FC to fantasy titles unrelated to sports like League of Legends and Counter-Strike. These broadcasts bring the action and commentary around the clock, giving fans steady engagement rather than just having to show up Sunday, no matter how fun that may be.
Esports World Cup
Traditional leagues recognize the inherent potential with this and they're rolling out their own esports competitions. The NBA2K League and the ePremier League are examples of sports organizations creating digital extensions of their brands. The production quality is similar to any televised game, with commentators, analysts, and live reactions helping fans stay involved and interested.
The strategy is reportedly working, with viewers tuning in to watch elite players compete in digital arenas. Interest is said to be growing as well. What started as small experiments has developed into a major industry where action on the field is now complemented by a virtual counterpart.
The future of that relationship will be discussed at the upcoming New Global Sport Conference coming up this weekend on August 23-25 in Saudi Arabia, where leaders from sports, gaming, and esports will meet. Casey Wasserman, who is the head of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Olympic legend Michael Johnson will be among the attendees, along with Andrew Wilson of Electronic Arts and Ralf Reichert of the Esports World Cup Foun. Their focus will be on how both the real-life and on-line sides of this industry can grow together over the next three decades.
Previous conferences have already led to collaborations, such as chess joining the Esports World Cup lineup. Momentum appears to be growing, so the possibility of more crossover deals is strong. Whether it is leagues continuing to back esports or broadcasts that blend both formats, digital competition is positioning itself as a greater part of the overall sports landscape.
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