If you haven’t had the chance, go check out Chris Fields’ article on Athletics vs eSports. As a former college basketball player and current recruiter within the eSports arena, Chris’ perspective really aligned with my own. And even if, unlike Chris, I haven’t sniffed Diamond tier in League of Legends (LoL) *womp womp*. There was one particular segment of the article that really stood out:

“League is in its infant stages of popularity and reach. Instead of trying to keep it its own thing that is unique and NOT like traditional sports, we should embrace parts of the traditional sports teams and expand on that in the context of eSports. If League wants to be recognized as a sport and legitimate profession for the players, coaches, teams, organizations, and all other member of the community, we need to act as if we belong in the big 4 traditional sports and eventually take that over. We as a League community appeal to a much larger group of people worldwide.”

This is a well informed opinion, which makes several key points about the state and future of League, and can be applied to the overall eSports scene. One statement caught my eye,

“If League wants to be recognized as a sport and legitimate profession for the players, coaches, teams, organizations…”

For every corner of the eSports world there is a different opinion on what should be done to push the genre into more mainstream circles. However, recognition comes with actualization. In other words, League (and other eSports) must evolve into a legitimate profession for players, coaches, teams and organizations. Recognition will follow. See: “If you build it, he will come.”

eSports, in general, is still in its infancy. Yet there’s far too much focus on gaining recognition, as being on par with major sports, instead working to fill the sizable gaps throughout the community; particularly on building channels for legitimate professions. When I hear Alex ‘Xpecial’ Chu say in an interview,

“A big concern for players is the future after their competitive careers are over.”

This statement speaks to the fact that eSports, for all its support and popularity, is still quite immature as an industry. This must change before it can be considered on par with major sporting activities. Consider the economic activity generated by organizations like FIFA, or the NBA. They are global brands not only because of the sport itself, but due to their roles in providing a legitimate professional outlet. So even if sports like futbol and basketball exist independently of the industry surrounding them. And competitive gaming will thrive even if no one is getting paid. There is a vast difference between a popular past-time and a major sport.

Meaning, it is critical to establish a foundation of decent professions not just as players or even coaches, but within eSports as a whole. As this continues to happen and the overall eSports industry grows with it, then we will an inevitable increase in casual interest, mainstream awareness, and the like.

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Alex Fletcher is founder & president at eSports Group, where he helps customers meet their eSports advisory & consulting needs. When Alex isn’t glued to a screen, he spends time with his wife, their two dogs, and pretends to learn Polish. Feel free to stalk him on Twitter – @FletchUnleashed