By Pernell Beals
That’s right e-sports, online gaming. Who would have imagined that in just about 10 years, another sport would come alive? E-sports is online gaming where players from around the world compete in giant tournaments for prizes such as, money and trophies.
In the United States, e-sports is starting to gain viewers. In the 2015 North American League of Legends Championship, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, MSG was sold out. In other countries, e-sports is a major industry; in places like South Korea and Europe, players earn money and sponsorship’s.
There are well over 100 teams competing in online gaming professionally.
League of Legends and Star Craft 2, are just two of seven games currently played on the professional level. These two games are also two of the most played games in the world.
Picks are locked in for game 1 between the @UnicornsOfLove (5-1) & @MisfitsGG (5-1)! #UOLWIN #MSFWIN
📺 https://t.co/UNRhCENmcW pic.twitter.com/ZVQquK0cWJ
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) March 2, 2017
One retired player, from one of the major North American sports, has found interest in e-sports. Rick Fox, former Los Angeles Laker, has grown very fond of the new sport. He has even invested into a competitive team.
E-sports is new, but the sport appeals to the new generation of people who love playing video games at a very high level. Los Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, has recently built an e-sports arena in order to appeal to the new generation, according to Newsfactor.com.
Tickets for the #NALCS Spring Finals in Vancouver go on sale March 3. More information will be available on February 24! pic.twitter.com/rdSwweKetA
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) February 21, 2017
The next big event in sports might be online, in cyber-space.
Lead photograph from Fightsports.tv