Hello, fellow gamers and media enthusiasts! I am here to discuss the evolving relationship between esports and mainstream media, and the impact that this relationship has had on the industry. As a seasoned gamer and media fan, I have been keeping a close eye on these changes. Let’s dive in!

What are Esports? 🕹

For the uninitiated, esports are competitive video game tournaments that attract millions of viewers and professional players from around the world. The players compete against each other in various games, from first-person shooters like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to multiplayer online battle arenas like League of Legends. Some gamers even make a living off of their esports careers, earning sponsorships, prize money, and a devoted fan base.

A group of esports competitors on stage, playing in front of a live audience

Mainstream Media’s Initial Reaction 📰

Esports weren’t always as mainstream as they are now. In fact, mainstream media outlets were initially hesitant to cover esports and didn’t take them seriously. Many outlets saw esports as niche or even “childish”, and didn’t give them the same coverage as traditional sports like football, basketball or baseball.

However, as more people began to tune into esports tournaments and big-name sponsors like Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz started to invest in esports, mainstream media slowly began to take notice. ESPN, for example, launched an esports vertical in 2016 and has since covered various esports leagues extensively.

Overall, mainstream media’s initial reaction to esports was dismissive but as the popularity grew, they began to take it seriously.

The ESPN logo overlayed on a list of various esports tournaments being broadcasted on the network

The Intersection of Gaming and Traditional Sports 🎾🏈

As esports grew in popularity, the lines between esports and traditional sports began to blur. For example, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers acquired an esports team in 2016, signalling a shift in the sports world towards esports.

Additionally, esports tournaments now take place in some of the same arenas as traditional sports tournaments. The League of Legends World Championship was held in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the same venue that hosts major basketball games.

This intersection of gaming and traditional sports has allowed for more mainstream attention and resources being devoted to esports.

A photo of the crowds inside the Staples Center during the League of Legends World Championship

The Impact of Esports on Mainstream Media 🤖📱

As esports have garnered more attention, they have also influenced how mainstream media covers and produces their content. For example, some sports channels have begun to use esports-inspired graphics and commentary during their broadcasts.

Esports have also led to the creation of entirely new media outlets. Esports-specific news sites like Dot Esports and Esports Insider have emerged to provide in-depth coverage of esports tournaments and news. These sites work alongside traditional sports outlets to cover esports.

In turn, mainstream media has also helped bring esports to an even wider audience, leading to more lucrative sponsorship deals and even bigger tournaments. On the flip side, big Esports tournaments also lead to mainstream media companies finding new viewership in younger audiences who are into gaming and esports.

Close-up of a person typing an article on a laptop with an esports website open in the background

The Future of Esports in Mainstream Media 🚀🔮

Without a doubt, the future of esports in mainstream media looks bright. The esports industry is expected to hit $1.5 Billion in revenue in 2023, and with this growth will come even more opportunities and collaborations with mainstream media.

We can expect more traditional sports leagues to acquire esports teams, and tournaments to become even more competitive. Esports will continue to grow as a phenomenon, and its impact on mainstream media will only continue to expand.

All in all, we should expect to see a lot more of esports in mainstream media in the future.

An image of a futuristic city skyline, representing the bright future of esports and its intersection with mainstream media

Wrapping Up 🎁

That’s it, folks! We’ve come to the end of our discussion on esports and mainstream media. I hope that you’ve been able to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving relationship between these two industries and the impact that they have on each other.

Just remember, whether you’re a gamer or a media fan, the future of esports is bright, and we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s to come.

A gif of a thumbs up, representing the positivity towards the future of esports and mainstream media