Esports
Features
Esports keeps the lights on at Eden Park during international sport shutdown
A new esports High Performance Centre at New Zealand's Eden Park stadium will aim to provide a base for the country's entire esports industry, not just top-tier teams. Callum McCarthy reports.
Adrian Staiti | Five reasons to be optimistic about the sports industry post-Covid-19
Adrian Staiti, APAC president of sports marketing agency Sportfive, challenges the wary outlook for the sports industry and says a 'better normal' will flourish once markets come out of the pandemic.
“Digital has become the free-to-air platform” | F1’s Frank Arthofer
Liberty Media’s major investment into Formula 1's digital media operations has demonstrated its value during sport’s global lockdown, believes Frank Arthofer, the series’ global head of digital media and licensing.
McLaren hires Veloce to ensure gaming arm is more than just marketing for ‘real’ motorsport
Callum McCarthy looks at Formula 1 team McLaren's recent tie-ups within sim racing and esports, and how this reflects on real-life operations
Pro League’s roaring audience growth is welcome damage limitation for ESL
Even as Covid-19 took a terrible toll on ESL’s event business, it helped the 11th season of the Pro League become the most viewed in its history. Callum McCarthy reports on how organisers put the event together despite the pandemic, and what its success suggests for esports' wider outlook.
Formula E not ruling out Tesla joining in future
There is a technical reason that electric car maker Tesla does not currently participate in Formula E which could change in the not-too-distant future, the electric motor racing series’ chief executive J…
Formula 1 launches mobile esports competition
Formula 1 has launched a global esports competition based on the F1 Mobile Racing game.
The competition is open to anyone who downloads the free game which is played on mobile devices
Round-Up: Tokyo flame on display, Platini meets prosecutor, Indonesia recognises esports, and more
The Tokyo Olympic flame went on display at the Japanese Olympic Museum next to the National Stadium, the main venue for next year's Games
Post Malone acquires stake in Envy Gaming
Post Malone, the popular American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer, has acquired an undisclosed stake in leading esports organization Envy Gaming
DBS bank bullish on esports investments in Asia
Bank’s investment office is recommending investments in esports and gaming.
Says Covid-19 will accelerate sector growth in Asia-Pac.
Sees game developers as the biggest beneficiaries of growth.
“Remote production is extremely difficult” | Inside the NHL Player Gaming Challenge
The NHL will this week become the latest major sports organization to launch a players-only esports competition in an attempt to stay relevant and keep fans engaged. Bob Williams reports.
APAC’s biggest domestic motorsport series, Supercars, turns to global stars for engagement
Tom King speaks to Supercars' chief executive Sean Seamer, and takes a look at how Australia's top motorsports series is adapting in order to keep its fans engaged during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Online tournaments keep Southeast Asian esports revenues flowing during pandemic
Chris Tran, head of esports in Southeast Asia for League of Legends publisher Riot Games, and Mark Chew, managing director of marketing agency Reddentes Sports, spoke to SportBusiness earlier this month…
Online gaming has boomed, but esports isn’t immune to Covid-19
The video gaming industry is thriving at the minute, but that doesn't mean esports is thriving, too. Callum McCarthy looks at why.
‘Undervalued’ Southeast Asian esports properties battle on amid Covid-19
Chris Tran, head of esports in Southeast Asia for League of Legends publisher Riot Games, and Mark Chew, managing director of marketing agency Reddentes Sports, spoke to SportBusiness about the pandemic's impact, how more broadcasters are considering esports content, and said esports remains undervalued in the region.
Nascar begins to expand audience with iRacing Pro Invitational Series
Nascar's newly developed iRacing Pro Invitational Series after several initial races is proving to be a powerful tool in reaching fans who had not previously followed the organization.
NBA looks to stay ‘connected and engaged’ with fans via players-only esports tournament
The NBA has become the latest major sports organization to turn to esports as a means to help fill the void amid the sports shutdown. Bob Williams reports
Formula One’s virtual grands prix are a silver lining during dark times
The race’s popularity among young fans, both new and existing, has shown F1’s senior executives that video games and esports can be central to engaging under-25s.
Nascar moves quickly to fill void from Covid-19 with nationally-televised esports series
Esports has never been as important or relevant as it is now amid the global Covid-19 pandemic. Nascar has been an early mover in this space with the creation of the eNascar iRacing Pro Invitational Series.
Google hoping an exclusive esports splash will take YouTube Gaming to the next level
Twitch has been the video game streaming sector’s market leader since its inception in 2015, but YouTube is now coming for that crown. Callum McCarthy speaks to Ryan Wyatt about the platform’s aggressive move into live esports.
As Counter-Strike tournament operators go head-to-head, a bigger battle is brewing
The world of Counter Strike: Global Offensive esports is about to leap into a new era with its first team-owned franchise league, but these developments aren't being welcomed by the game's developer, Valve. Callum McCarthy dives into the idiosyncratic world of Counter Strike economics.
Ex-adidas marketing chief McCammon wants to make Excel Esports a ‘truly British’ product
The appointment of adidas’ former director of global marketing Robin McCammon to the role of chief commercial officer at UK-based esports organisation Excel Esports, announced in January, appeared to b…
Football and Rocket League: A burgeoning relationship on the rocks
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco have all invested in Rocket League esports, but the business case for doing so is shaky at best. Callum McCarthy examines an esport with huge, unfulfilled potential.
DFL wants Virtual Bundesliga to be seen as its third competition brand
The Bundesliga's esports property is seen as a valuable tool with which to engage a younger fanbase and expand the reach of the league and its commercial partners. Story by Bob Williams.
McLaren’s new commercial chief Mark Waller is bringing lessons from American sport
Mark Waller joined McLaren Racing in May from the NFL, becoming the British motorsport team's managing director of sales and marketing. He's relishing his new role, and sees opportunities to drive the business forward in adding consumer-facing sponsors, creating more digital content, and expanding the team's already impressive esports programme.
The Rise of eFootball in China – Andrew Collins, Mailman Group
As esports have exploded in China over the past decade, eFootball, now a category itself, is undergoing a meteoric rise in the mainland.
Football clubs have woken up to the power of FIFA and Pro Evo
The recent round of video game licensing deals signed by clubs and leagues with EA Sports and Konami show how complicated the video game licensing business has become. Callum McCarthy examines whether it is better to sell rights collectively or go it alone.
Esports and the city: How smaller European cities are transforming their image via video games
Callum McCarthy looks at the various ways in which lesser-known European host cities are benefiting from staging a variety of international esports competitions.