Why esports are great for players, fans, and athletes alike

The upward trajectory of the esports industry is quite astounding. 

As recently as a decade ago, the idea that gaming enthusiasts could make a lucrative profession out of their hobby might have been laughed out of town, but there are now many self-made millionaires who have amassed their entire fortune through online gaming.

That’s incredible news for the players themselves, of course, since their talents with a keyboard and mouse are now being recognized and rewarded. However, esports don’t just benefit those competing for major prizes but also the fans who tune in to watch them and the athletes who practice more traditional sports. 

Here’s a quick rundown of all the reasons why esports are great for everyone involved.

Fan engagement

Esports events have grown from a niche distraction in the early 2000s to a lucrative and much-loved industry at the present time. Fans can snap up tickets to live events and cheer on their favourite players, or else tune in online at home to catch the outcome of the hotly contested competitions as they unfold.

What’s more, there’s also the additional gambling aspect to consider. In much the same way that sports betting has become incredibly popular all over the world, a similar phenomenon is being witnessed in the esports sector. 

There are a lot of good esport bonuses for Finnish players, such as wager free bonuses from the gambleguardian.com casino portal. This allows fans to become even more invested in the events and forge a connection with those upon whom they lay their bets.

Athlete involvement

While esports are definitely more popular among the younger generation, that popularity is only set to snowball as the years roll by and the youth replace their elders. The same phenomenon which is being witnessed among fans of esports is also observable among athletes, both those partaking in traditional sports and in esports.

For example, there are plenty of pro athletes who are pivoting into esports. NFL veteran Rodger Saffold was one of the first to make the transition but he has since been followed by fellow football players Jay Ajayi and JuJu Smith-Schuster and NBA stars De’Aaron Fox and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

That kind of career change is not common in traditional sports, but the advent of esports is allowing professional athletes to continue earning long after their legs have gone and their peak fitness days are behind them. 

Player prosperity

Of course, the biggest winners in the rise of esports are the players who practice the games themselves. Given that esports players are now training like traditional athletes to enhance their performance, it’s only fair that their hard work is rewarded with appropriate compensation – and they’re certainly receiving it.

The ballooning popularity of the industry and the prevalence of hotly contested events with big prize pots on offer means that the most successful players can net millions of pounds in tournament winnings. What’s more, the ubiquity of social media allows them to build their own brand and supplement their income through lucrative sponsorship contracts and media appearances, as well. 

For the players who play them, the fans who watch them and the traditional athletes who transition into them, esports are a vibrant new addition to the sporting world that’s set to maintain its growth long into the future.