s t r o p eS hrive t in a world without
crowds
Sarah Keoghan
T
wo years ago we ran an article on e-sports trending year-on-year with even talk about e-sports becoming part of the Olympics. It is now predicted that the eSports worldwide market is on track to surpass $1.5 billion in revenue in under 3 years. With Coronavirus affecting traditional sport worldwide, sporting codes are showing strong interest in eSports. After the NRL had announced suspension, Mat Jessep, eSports Games Association Australia Chief Executive believes moving the sport online could be Rugby League’s saving grace.
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When the NBA was suspended, NBA team Phoenix Suns continued with their season online, providing a platform for fans to engage with them whilst providing a revenue stream. “The Phoenix Suns will give fans a virtual fix as the first NBA team to continue the 2019-20 season,” a Suns statement said. “While we await the return to the hardwood, hoops fans are encouraged to tune in to Suns games on Twitch.”
What is Twitch? It’s a video live-streaming service allowing gamers to stream their games for others to watch while they play. This is nothing new, with English football club Leeds United utilising the popular video game FIFA to play a simulated version of their postponed match against Cardiff City. It has since been watched by more than 200,000 fans on Facebook.
How is revenue made? This concept is similar to YouTube users. Streamers are able to earn money from donations, subscriptions, as well as advertising, sponsorship and winning online tournaments. Back to NRL - players could verse each other in video game ‘Rugby League Live’ as an alternative to the season or opt for clubs to face off in popular global games like Fortnite or FIFA. The concept could potentially provide a revenue stream outside the physical game with the audience watching sponsored brands. The correlation between gaming and NRL players went public when Josh Dugan celebrated a try with a Fortnite move in 2018. Last year, Dugan created his own Twitch account and regularly streams his PlayStation 4 sessions as a side hustle to his rugby league career.
