WHY ESPORTS?
According to the World Economic Forum, the global audience for esports is expected to reach 380 million in 2018. Established sports franchise owners understand the potential of esports, with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, recently purchasing a majority stake in an esports organization, and the New York Yankees entering into a partnership deal with the investment group Vision Esports, as noted by The Esports Observer.
By 2021, global games market intelligence company Newzoo anticipates that “All major U.S. media conglomerates will have digital esports media rights,” and that esports will grow into a market bigger than that of traditional professional sports.
I predict that by 2024 esports will actually have an Olympic event!”
Visionary/economist Bob Froelich is quoted as saying in the Chicago Tribune
Esports Rampant Growth & Opportunity
The esports field is perfect for anyone interested in event management, communications, gameplay, coaching, exercise science, or in being part of a field that promises to grow more prominent and engaging with every passing year
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In 2018, a championship event for Overwatch teams filled the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The center holds 19,000 people. These kinds of events promise to only grow in size and scope.
As noted on CNBC by Peter Guber, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers and the professional esports organization Team Liquid, being able to fill a particular place isn’t necessary for esports.
You'll see that it's everywhere, and it isn't bound by geography. You don't use a stick or a bat to play, and you can play alone or with a whole group of people, play against the best."
Peter Guber | Co-owner of Team Liquid
Recent numbers from the World Economic Forum show that “esports viewers spent 17.9 million hours watching their gaming heroes [on Twitch and YouTube’s gaming channel] in the first quarter of 2018.” And Twitch, a live feed service where people can watch others play video games, has five million active daily users.
This is a world that needs a workforce. And those involved in the industry can be well-compensated. According to Glassdoor.com, a senior ecommerce operations manager for Blizzard Entertainment, a division of esports juggernaut Activision Blizzard, can earn up to $164,000, while a freelance esports and video game writer can earn up to $68,000.
By 2020, the industry’s anticipated more than $1 billion of worth will match or surpass the 2017 revenues cleared by the NCAA, as well as the social media influencers market.
A new world has arrived, right at your fingertips.
We’re ready to pick up the controller and play.
Are You?
Esports News
Esports Interview with Dr. Joey Gawrysiak The Academy of Esports Podcast
The Academy of Esports Podcast
Esports are organized competitive video games allowing schools to redefine their athletic culture, diversify opportunities for student participation, promote physical and mental health, increase ... Continue Reading Esports Interview with Dr. Joey…
Growing Esports Academics | A Chat With Shenandoah University’s Joey Gawrysiak Interview with Twin Galaxies
Interview with Twin Galaxies
Shenandoah University has announced one of North America's first multi-trac Esports college majors and Professor and Director Joey Gawrysiak spoke to us about how it came to be and what he hopes for ... Continue Reading Growing Esports Academics | A…
‘A Different Animal’ Article in Virginia Business
Article in Virginia Business
Across the state’s higher-ed landscape, Shenandoah University stands apart because of what it does not profess to be. “Shenandoah is a different animal in higher education in Virginia,” says Tracy ... Continue Reading ‘A Different Animal’ Article in…
ESPORTS PROGRAM DIRECTOR & TEAM COACH
Joey Gawrysiak
Joey Gawrysiak holds the controller in the world of esports academia.
He has made the international esports rounds, with appearances on podcasts, radio shows and even a cruise line, and has presented at several gaming and sport management events—including the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand and the Music and Gaming Educational Symposium. Gawrysiak has written several articles on esports and is in the process of creating a chapter for the first dedicated esports textbook. He has hosted esports tournaments and served as a guest lecturer and consultant for several universities. Gawrysiak was a competitive gamer in Halo: Combat Evolved while in college.
We are working to prepare students to enter this field as highly qualified individuals with a unique bachelor’s degree that will place them ahead of other people wishing to enter the field. Shenandoah has positioned itself at the forefront of the esports industry by offering students an environment to participate in and study esports in a number of different ways.”
Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D.