Esports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in popularity in recent years. But just how popular is it compared to traditional sports like football, basketball, or baseball? This article dives into the viewership, revenue, and cultural impact of esports to answer that question.
The Rise of Esports Viewership
The numbers speak volumes about esports’ growing audience. While still trailing giants like the NFL, projections indicate esports viewership in the United States will surpass that of the MLB, NBA, and NHL by 2021, reaching an estimated 84 million viewers. Globally, the numbers are even more impressive. By 2020, over 70 million people were projected to watch a single esports final, exceeding the viewership of the finals for U.S. professional baseball, soccer, and hockey.
Activate, a technology consulting firm, estimates that by 2020, global esports viewership reached 3 billion hours, representing a significant 10% of all sports viewing. This meteoric rise is fueled by platforms like Twitch, where millions tune in to watch professional gamers compete and stream live.
Esports vs Traditional Sports: A Global Phenomenon
Unlike many traditional sports with regional strongholds, esports boasts a truly global appeal. Unconstrained by geographical or cultural boundaries, its digital nature allows for worldwide participation and viewership. This global reach translates to immense commercial value, attracting major sponsorships and investments.
The Money in Esports: Prize Pools and Revenue
The financial landscape of esports further underscores its popularity. Prize pools for major tournaments rival, and sometimes surpass, those of established sporting events. The International, a “Dota 2” tournament, offered a staggering $25.5 million prize purse in 2018, dwarfing the $12 million prize of the U.S. Open golf tournament that same year.
Beyond prize money, the esports ecosystem generates billions in revenue through streaming subscriptions, advertising, merchandise, and sponsorships. Streamers like Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, who earns an estimated $300,000 per month, demonstrate the earning potential for top players. His popularity even landed him on the cover of ESPN The Magazine, highlighting esports’ growing mainstream recognition.
The Future of Esports: Olympic Potential and Beyond
The discussion surrounding esports’ potential inclusion in the Olympic Games further solidifies its position in mainstream culture. While debates continue about its suitability, the mere consideration signifies a major shift in perception.
Esports organizations are increasingly adopting structures similar to traditional sports leagues, creating franchised teams, structured seasons, and professional player development pipelines. This professionalization is attracting investment from established sports figures and organizations, further blurring the lines between traditional sports and esports. The convergence of these two worlds is perhaps best exemplified by the NBA 2K League, a professional esports league partnered with the NBA.
Conclusion: Esports’ Continued Ascent
Esports’ popularity is undeniable. While still younger than traditional sports, its rapid growth in viewership, revenue, and cultural influence indicates a powerful force in the entertainment industry. As technology advances and the global audience expands, esports is poised to continue its ascent, potentially challenging the dominance of long-established sports leagues.
Citation for this content: MBA@Syracuse, Syracuse University’s online MBA program
