Media should tap into esports industry
Newspapers could draw fans
The meteoric rise of esports has compelled major corporations around the world to invest in the video gaming industry.
With 22 percent of males age 18 to 34 flocking to esports, according to Newzoo, it’s time for media companies to do the same.
Geico, T-Mobile and Coca-Cola have already forked over sponsorship dollars in programming and in hosting events. TD Garden was sold out for two days last month for an esports tournament.
Why not carve out space on the sports pages — both online and in the paper — for esports? Give millennials a place to go to catch up on the latest developments.
Already esports enthusiasts, as well as former players, run blogs and niche media sites that hardcore fans turn to. But only ESPN has devoted any reporting to the gaming phenomenon.
The young fan base is extremely interactive and invested in their sport. Many top players are also streamers, who broadcast their casual gaming live to their fans on Twitch, the leading esports online streaming provider purchased by Amazon in 2014 for close to $1 billion.
Twitch attracts close to 10 million daily viewers, providing fans a new-found way to engage with their idols. Players will make real-time commentary and explain strategy and walk fans through his or her performance via the Twitch video platform.
The direct line of communication between pro player and fan is unique to esports, as there is no other sport where athletes are able to communicate live with their fans while practicing or playing the game.
Kevin Mitchell, a business development executive for National Amusements who is leading the company’s esports initiatives, says esports is the “next generation of sport.”
He said that mainstream media needs to get on board with this growing industry. It’s time for sports media to invest in esports and report on events and players.
If media organizations want to attract the millennial base they so far have failed to engage, one way is to assign a beat reporter with knowledge and background on the industry covering esports.