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at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 16th, 2017
New leagues. Tespa’s events now include competitions in Overwatch, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, StarCraft II, World of Warcraft and Rocket League.
Open membership. Previously, students had to compete in a Tespa league or go to a university with a Tespa chapter. This year, students at any North American university may compete, a move Tespa hopes will spur chapter creation.
Six broadcasts a week, and on- and off-seasons for each game (Overwatch in the fall, for example, and Hearthstone or Heroes in the spring.)
I write about PC gaming, virtual reality games and Blizzard eSports.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Fans cheer on University of California, Irvine, at the 2017 Heroes of the Dorm competition.
Two announcements today will help esports take one more step toward traditional competitive sports status at universities around the country.
Tespa, organizers of the “Heroes of the Dorm” competitions broadcast on ESPN networks, announced a slew of new changes for its events designed to direct more scholarship money towards student gamers and encourage participation from more university campuses. Among the announcements:
New leagues. Tespa’s events now include competitions in Overwatch, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, StarCraft II, World of Warcraft and Rocket League.
Open membership. Previously, students had to compete in a Tespa league or go to a university with a Tespa chapter. This year, students at any North American university may compete, a move Tespa hopes will spur chapter creation.
Six broadcasts a week, and on- and off-seasons for each game (Overwatch in the fall, for example, and Hearthstone or Heroes in the spring.)
More money. Tespa tournaments will hand out more than $800,000 in scholarships and $200,000 in other prizes. Heroes of the Dorm winners already received full scholarships for the remainder of their college careers.
In-game rewards. Tespa competitors in Blizzard Entertainment titles–all the games on the list but Rocket League–will earn in-game goodies such as Hearthstone card packs or Heroes of the Storm loot chests by progressing in standing with Tespa.
In a simultaneous statement, Georgia State University announced that it will join two collegiate gaming leagues, the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE, which has 33 programs) and the new Georgia Esports League (GEL), which launches next month. GSU will become the latest university to award scholarships, practice facilities and other varsity-team perks to its gamers, joining such campuses as University of California, Irvine; Western Kentucky University and the University of Utah.
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Adam Rosen
“One of the things we’re focused on is to help grow collegiate teams in the esports space,” said Adam Rosen. He and twin brother Tyler founded Tespa when they were students at  the University of Texas at Austin. “We want competing for universities to be an aspirational thing. A lot of times universities are a little bit scared of it. It’s a risky endeavor. We’re attempting to provide assurances that our leagues will be around for multiple years, and formats will be consistent. We strongly feel it’s going to be the best year ever for esports.”
Tespa’s first year in 2010 consisted of an informal group of approximately 30 gamers from UT who showed up to compete in StarCraft II. Today it encompasses more than 65,000 members, with 220 chapters at more than 1200 universities.
“If we were to look at Tespa’s size now and compare it to a Greek organization, we’d be in the top 10 in the world for number of chapters,” Tyler Rosen said. “When Adam and I founded Tespa, we had this dream of elevating gaming to the same levels as traditional sports on campus. Last year, we had more tournaments than ever before.”
Georgia State University statements say the university sees esports as a way for its students to not only compete, but build skills and provide opportunities to learn concepts in broadcasting, production, coaching, student management, game development and marketing.
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The University of Texas at Arlington won Heroes of the Dorm 2017.
“The skills developed by eSports-interested students are the very skills most needed for success in the 21st century economy, including collaborative soft skills and computer coding,” said David Cheshier, director of the Georgia State Creative Media Industries Institute, in a written statement. “We see this initiative as building essential links to emerging creative careers in animation, 3D and immersive world creation, and other media industries.”
More than 90 million viewers watched esports finals in 2016, the university said.
“Esports are both the most rapidly growing field of sports and also one of the best ways to get students interested in technology,” said Andrew Greenberg, president of the Georgia Game Developers Association. GGDA sponsors the new Georgia league.
“Georgia State has become one of the first schools to recognize the link between eSports and academic achievement. We are delighted both with its role as one of the Georgia Esports League’s inaugural members and the opportunities it is providing its students.”
 Blizzard
Tyler Rosen
Tyler Rosen said when the company first got started–even when its Heroes of the Dorm tournament was first broadcast on ESPN–colleges were hesitant.
“At first, a lot of the universities ignored their teams,” he said. “But what we saw hosting that tournament year over year was that universities were supporting their teams: celebrating on social media, giving them facilities they needed. Arizona State University [winners the 2016Â Heroes of the Dorm competition] brought them back to campus, paraded them at a baseball game, and gave them full housing scholarships. That’s a really great trend that we’ve seen growing.”
Registration for upcoming Tespa tournaments begins today.
I’ve covered gaming for more than two decades, and I cover PC games, VR games and Blizzard eSports for Forbes. Sign up for email alerts when my stories run. Follow me @gbitses.
When an investing firm which boasts about how few investments it makes, says it’s excited about a company, then it’s time to listen.
The operation in question is London-based J. Stern & Co., which describes itself as a private investment office — somewhere between a family office and an investment manager.
“We are very long term investors and since inception of the core portfolio in October 2012, we have traded only two or three companies a year,†says Chris Rossbach, chief investment officer at J. Stern.
He and his team have recently been turned on by a new trend that could reap big rewards. Specifically, Rossbach says eSports are the future and will likely leave the pro-sports in the dust, at least for investors. The stock in question is Activision Blizzard.
Visitors play the video game ‘Overwatch.’ Credit: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
If you don’t already know, eSports are competitive video game sports that people not only like to play but also like to watch when others play.
“The management and CEO of ActivisionBlizzard almost created the industry,” says Rossbach.
If watching others play video games sounds strange to you, don’t worry, there are plenty for whom this is normal. How many? A July-dated report from J. Stern sums it up:
“Newzoo, an expert in video games data, predicts that the global eSports audience will increase to a staggering 385 million people in 2017 and estimates that revenues from eSports will grow from $130 million in 2012 to $696 million this year.”
More than that, the “audience is highly engaged,” says Rossbach.
So eSports has a fast growing audience that is really ‘in’ to gaming as an activity to participate in or as a spectator. The same could be said about other pro sports. Yes, and that is also where the comparison is instructive.
Team Dignitas was formed in September 2003, after the merger of two excellent Battlefield 1942 teams. The new ‘Dignitas’ Battlefield team went on to be very successful and after attending CeBIT (2004) it held discussions with ABIT and within a few months had secured its first sponsor.
In 2016, as more traditional sports team owners were discovering the potential of Esports, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers acquired Team Digitas, becoming the first North American franchise to own an Esports team.
Team members from teams ‘Dignitas’ (L) and ‘Evil Genius’ (R) are seen on the screen during the live taping of the League of Legends North American Championship Series Spring round robin competition, at the MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach, California February 22, 2014. (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
In this SportsMoney podcast I chatted with Team Dignitas CEO Jonathan Kemp and team captain for Team Dignitas CS:GO Female team, Emmalee Garrido, separately. Kemp discusses the business strategy of Team Digitas; Garrido how she became involved in Esports, her training and what life is like as a professonal gamer.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 11:47 AM on Friday, July 21st, 2017
US channels like Disney XD, ESPN, NBC and TBS are all trying to put eSports on the same level as traditional sports, with the end goal being to reach new, younger audiences
Recent interest from giant broadcasters comes as the world of eSports continues to reach new heights
Five years ago, you couldn’t have imagined video game competitions being broadcasted on the same channel as traditional sports. TV networks have been historically obsessed with pastimes such as baseball, basketball, football and soccer, but times are changing. Thanks to the massive popularity of eSports, driven in large part by the internet-streaming generation, the entertainment landscape has transformed drastically over the past couple of years. Nowadays, US channels like Disney XD, ESPN, NBC and TBS are all trying to put eSports on the same level as traditional sports, with the end goal being to reach new, younger audiences. Want to watch a EA’s FIFA or Rocket League tournament on ESPN? Well, you can do just that.
The recent interest from giant broadcasters comes as the world of eSports continues to reach new heights. Pro gaming tournaments are selling out arenas worldwide and, every time a competition is streamed on Twitch, there are millions of viewers tuning in. With business this good, why wouldn’t anyone want a piece of the pie? NBCUniversal, which owns NBC and NBC Sports, is the perfect example. The company announced it would be launching its own two-on-two eSports tournament this summer, featuring one of the most popular games right now: Rocket League. It’ll air on the NBC Sports network, right alongside the English Premier League.
“We’re in the sports business,” says Rob Simmelkjaer, senior vice president for NBC’s Sports Ventures, when asked about why his team decided to join the space. “I’ve always defined sports as competitive entertainment, and whenever you’ve got competition that people are watching to be entertained, that to me is what sports is about.” Simmelkjaer touched on how there are still people who question whether eSports are “real” sports, which he says is an argument that doesn’t make sense: “It’s got people who are passionate about it, both playing it and watching it [and] lines up with our desire to reach as many audiences as we can around the country, of all demographics, of all interests.”
ESPN is another media company making a major push into eSports, which is surprising considering the somewhat controversial comments president John Skipper made not too long ago. “It’s not a sport,” he claimed in 2014 at Recode’s Code/Media Series event in New York City. “It’s a competition. Chess is a competition. Checkers is a competition. Mostly, I’m interested in doing real sports.” Despite that, ESPN really started embracing eSports in 2015, when it broadcasted a pro gaming tournament (Blizzard’s Heroes of the Storm) on ESPN2 for the first time ever. The year before that, the network streamed a League of Legends competition online, but giving eSports a slot on actual TV was quite a significant move.
“We are at a point now where fans no longer question why we’re covering an eSports event, but are asking for more.”
That strategy shouldn’t come as a surprise, though, since ESPN’s first-ever eSports stream netted the network more viewers than that year’s NBA Finals and the last game of MLB’s 2014 World Series. League of Legends on its own is estimated to be a $1 billion-per-year business, so it’s only natural that ESPN, NBC, Turner (owner of TBS) would want to get involved. In its latest report about the eSports industry, research firm Newzoo said it expects competitive gaming to reach yearly revenues of $1.5 billion by 2020.
“eSports has been around for some time, but its trajectory is still exciting to us because it allows us to experiment with various content, coverage and distribution platforms,” says Kevin Lopes, director of programming and acquisitions at ESPN, says. “We are at a point now where fans no longer question why we’re covering an eSports event, but are asking for more.”
There are growing pains, however. For instance, ESPN forced a player to change the outfit of his Street Fighter V character Cammy during the EVO fighting game championships, because it was deemed too revealing. She was wearing her usual green thong jumpsuit, which obviously showed most of her butt. The network later said it had to abide by “Broadcast Standards,” but Lopes says it’s about something bigger than that. “One of the goals for our coverage is to highlight and celebrate the diversity, inclusiveness and sportsmanship of eSports,” he says. In other words, ESPN probably wants to change the course on gaming’s long history of objectifying female characters — and rightly so.
Organizations like ESPN and NBC aren’t the only ones making efforts in eSports. The National Basketball Association, along with developer and publisher Two-Take Interactive, is developing a new competition called the “NBA 2K eLeague.” A first of its kind, it will feature esquads that will represent 17 NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. The inaugural season is set to take place in 2018, and the pro gamers who participate will get the full NBA treatment: health benefits, training, personal development, sponsorships and more.
“It may be a different kind of physical prowess in terms of reflexes and your ability to move your thumbs very quickly, but these athletes can be any shape or size, and any age, and from anywhere.”
“Physical prowess, at least the way it’s necessary on an NBA court, will no longer be necessary,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver during a press conference at All-Star Weekend in March. “It may be a different kind of physical prowess in terms of reflexes and your ability to move your thumbs very quickly, but these athletes can be any shape or size, and any age, and from anywhere.” According to the NBA, each of its 30 teams will eventually have their own eSports squad, though it’s unclear when exactly that’s going to happen.
If the 2K eLeague ends up being successful, don’t be shocked to see other major US sports organizations like the NFL, MLB or MLS follow suit. In Europe, we’ve already seen football (er, soccer) teams such as Manchester City and West Ham recruit their own FIFA gaming stars, while others such as German club FC Schalke 04 have acquired renowned League of Legends crew “Elements.”
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:01 AM on Wednesday, June 21st, 2017
International sports and live entertainment company AEG is upping the ante when it comes to its investment in the world of esports.
Top North American teams across a variety of esports.
Currently fields teams in League of Legends, CS:GO, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros. and Vainglory
AEG and Immortals
AEG announced it on Tuesday that it made a strategic investment in the esports franchise Immortals. That is one of the top North American teams across a variety of esports. It currently fields teams in League of Legends, CS:GO, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros. and Vainglory
“AEG prides itself on being a forward-thinking, innovative company and is committed to leading the way as the industry evolves,†said Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of AEG, in a press release. “Expanding our interests in esports is a natural progression as we continue to invest in growth initiatives that further our leadership in sports and live entertainment.
“L.A. LIVE offers state-of-the-art venues, production facilities and an unparalleled fan experience, and we have ambitious plans for the campus to become the epicenter of esports in Los Angeles. Through our partnership with Immortals, we are looking forward to exploring a variety of collaborative opportunities to further broaden the global appeal of esports.â€
LA Live will host Immortals events
One big part of the deal is that Immortals’ Los Angeles-based tournaments will take place at AEG’s LA Live entertainment complex, which is home to Staples Center.
“AEG’s unrivaled experience in the cross-section of sports and entertainment makes them an ideal partner for any organization,†Immortals CEO Noah Whinston said. “Combined with Immortals’ competitive success and passionate fan base, this partnership provides unique and appealing paths forward to achieve our goal of creating the most exciting and fulfilling esports fan experience in the world.
“Whether it’s through hosting events at AEG’s world-class venues, such as L.A. LIVE, allowing fans unprecedented access to our team and players, or the seemingly endless well of talent and business experience AEG brings to the table; this partnership marks an exhilarating milestone for Immortals and its fans.â€
AEG already invested in esports
It marks the second major esports foray for AEG, which entered into a long-term partnership with ESL last year. That gave ESL access to AEG’s portfolio of 120 clubs, theaters, arenas and stadiums to host esports events.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:52 AM on Monday, June 12th, 2017
Undoubtedly huge growth in FIFA as an esport
Whilst it’s still considered a “softer†esport by the masses
EA has resource aplenty and seem focused on fostering growth in the space
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, otherwise known as E3, Electronia Arts (“EAâ€) teased a bigger and better esports initiative for the immensely popular football simulation title FIFA next year.
Credit: EA
Whilst we will ascertain a better understanding come summer, the initial details revealed by EA are as follows:
Official football league competitions – Players will have the opportunity to represent their favourite real-life club through official league competitions.
FIFA Ultimate Team Champions Cups– Open to all eligible players, this mass entry tournament starts with online matchmaking with top players qualifying for live events this winter and spring.
New FIFA Interactive Club World Cup – An All-Star tournament featuring players signed to clubs.
AND, top-tier competitive gaming organisations will help us deliver even more ways for players to compete at the highest levels.
This year we’ve undoubtedly seen huge growth in FIFA as an esport. Whilst it’s still considered a “softer†esport by the masses, EA has resource aplenty and seem focused on fostering growth in the space.
It’s undeniably one of the easiest games to grasp from an esports perspective and the recent regional finals was broadcast across a multitude of traditional broadcasting platforms as well as online. Whilst it may not always be the most compelling game from a spectator standpoint, it’s most definitely one of the easiest for a casual observer to grasp due there’s few people who don’t understand football.
Additionally, it remains the easiest entry point for football clubs into esports. There’s a plethora of teams across Europe and the world that have already picked up FIFA players and this trend looks only set to continue and grow as FIFA 18 ushers in even greater competition. Theoretically, once they’re in esports and see proof of concept there’s nothing to stop them branching out and expanding beyond the title which can only be good for the wider industry.
Esports Insider says: Oh EA, you big tease. It seems like FIFA will really have a focus on structured competition for next year and considering the growth this year it’s going to be a very interesting space to watch. We look forward to hearing more come this summer.Â
This is monstrous news for AGORACOM Client VGambling (Soon To Be Esports Entertainment Inc.), Which Is The ONLY publicly traded eSports company in North America (GMBL:OTCQB).  The company is fully licensed, regulated and now funded as of yesterday’s press release announcing an $850,000 funding committment.
We strongly encourage investors to start their due diligence on $GMBL. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have secured them as a client and make them available to AGORACOM members and visitors as we begin the campaign to the general public.
“People my age tune in to watch NFL Football once per week. Millennials don’t understand this, nor do they want to. Their sports heros are professional teams of video game players from around the world engaging in competition everyday. They can’t understand the concept of waiting a week to watch NFL, or days to watch NHL, NBA or MLB games. You can scoff or make fun of it – but it’s only getting bigger every day. Ignore it at your perfil but don’t say I didn’t tell you so. Â Investing in eSports today is like investing in the NFL back in 1970, without having to wait 35 years for hyper growth”. – George Tsiolis
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at 9:57 AM on Thursday, February 9th, 2017
eSports Wagering Company VGambling Secures $850,000 In Funding To Launch Online Wagering Platform
“eSports Is Now An Unstoppable Force That Will Surpass All Professional Sports Combined Over The Next 5 Years. The Numbers Are Irrefutable and Simply Massive. I Haven’t Seen A Wave Coming This Big and This Fast Since The Emergence Of Web 2.0. The Professionalization of Video Games Is Upon Us and 250 MILLION Fans Are Not Going Away. They Are Shunning Traditional Sports For Real-Time, Global eSports Games That They Can Watch, Play and Wager On.” – George Tsiolis, AGORACOM Founder
“Fortune Magazine has reported that the eSports fan base will outstrip the NFL in 2017, while Chris Grove of Eilers & Krejcik Gaming projects that fans of eSports fans will wager $23 billion by 2020â€. – Gary Graham, President & CEO of First Capital.
“People my age tune in to watch NFL Football once per week. Millennials don’t understand this, nor do they want to. Their sports heros are professional teams of video game players from around the world engaging in competition everyday. They can’t understand the concept of waiting a week to watch NFL, or days to watch NHL, NBA or MLB games. You can scoff or make fun of it – but it’s only getting bigger every day. Ignore it at your perfil but don’t say I didn’t tell you so. Investing in eSports today is like investing in the NFL back in 1970, without having to wait 35 years for hyper growth”. – George Tsiolis
Posted in eSports Investing, VGambling Inc. | Comments Off on Small Cap eSports Company VGambling Secures $850,000 To Launch Online Wagering Platform $GMBL
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