Who Can Build a Career in Esports?

Interest in esports continues to grow yearly, as evidenced by the number of views on YouTube, the amount of prize funds available for the championships, and the appearance of national teams in different countries. It offers many opportunities beyond the keyboard and controller. But who exactly can build a career in esports? The answer is as diverse as the industry itself.

Esports opens its doors to a wide array of talents and skill sets, from the strategically minded competitive gamers to the creatively inclined content creators, the analytical minds in data and coaching, and business-savvy marketing and management professionals. This industry, rooted in passion and digital innovation, is not just for the elite gamers but for anyone with a zeal for gaming culture, a penchant for technology, and a drive to be part of an industry that’s redefining entertainment and sports as we know them.

The Growth of the Esports Business

The global esports market was estimated to generate around $1.88 billion in revenue in 2023. This includes significant contributions from media rights, which amounted to about $207.8 million. Sponsorships formed a major part of the revenue, totaling approximately $837.3 million. Other segments contributing to the revenue include publisher fees, merchandise and tickets, digital, and streaming. The revenue from media rights and publisher fees alone amounted to around $338.5 million collectively.

The viewership of esports has also seen a considerable rise. The global esports audience size was projected to reach 540 million in 2023, increasing from about 435 million viewers in 2020. This number is expected to further grow, with an anticipated global audience of over 640 million by 2025. The Asia Pacific region leads in terms of viewership, accounting for over 57% of the total esports audience, while North America and Europe follow behind.

Esports has seen growth in viewership, revenue, and recognition as a mainstream sport. More gamers are entering the esports realm, contributing to the growth of its fan base. The number of esports fanatics and occasional viewers has been steadily increasing, with over 318.1 million fans expected by 2025.

Regarding regional market share, North America and Asia Pacific are significant players. North America’s market growth is attributed to high internet penetration and the tech-savvy young population, while the Asia Pacific region is emerging as a leading esports hub due to its expanded gaming communities and the rising popularity of mobile gaming.

The industry’s competitive landscape includes players like Activision Blizzard Inc., Riot Games Inc., and Tencent Holdings Ltd. These companies engage in strategies like organizing new sports leagues, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to increase their visibility and market share.

The esports market is predicted to continue its rapid growth trajectory, with an estimated value of around $3 billion in 2024. Factors contributing to this rise include live streaming of video games, steady investments, growing audience, and infrastructural developments for hosting tournaments.

Overall, the esports industry’s rapid expansion in revenue and global influence underscores its emergence as a significant sector within the broader gaming and entertainment industries.

Why Start a Career in Esports?

Starting a career in esports is an enticing option for many, especially considering the industry’s rapid growth and increasing popularity. Here are a few reasons why embarking on a career in esports can be a promising venture:

• Growing Industry: The esports industry has seen exponential growth in recent years. With a market value projected to be around $3 billion in 2024 and a global audience reaching over 640 million by 2025, the industry offers numerous opportunities for those looking to start a career in this field.
• Diverse Career Options: Esports isn’t just about being a professional gamer. The industry encompasses a range of roles including game development, event management, marketing, content creation, coaching, team management, and more. This diversity opens doors for individuals with various skills and interests.
• Global Reach and Influence: Esports has a global audience, providing a unique opportunity to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This international aspect can lead to a more dynamic and fulfilling career.
• Technological Advancement: The esports industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, from gaming hardware to streaming platforms. Working in esports means being part of an industry that is constantly evolving and embracing new tech.
• Passion and Community: For many, a career in esports means turning a hobby and passion into a profession. The esports community is known for its enthusiasm and camaraderie, making it a fulfilling environment to work in.
• Potential for High Earnings: While it’s a competitive field, successful esports professionals, whether players, content creators, or behind-the-scenes roles, can achieve significant earnings.
• Educational Opportunities: Increasingly, universities and colleges offer courses and degrees in esports, reflecting its legitimacy and growth as an industry. These programs provide structured paths into the industry.
• Mainstream Acceptance: Once a niche field, esports is gaining mainstream acceptance, including recognition as a legitimate sport, scholarships, and more, signaling stability and long-term viability.

List of Careers in Esports Business

All this encourages the audience to look for a career in esports. Many people mistakenly think it is only about athletes and coaches, but many more options exist. Among them are the following: 

• Professional Gamer: Competing in various games at the highest levels.
• Coach/Analyst: Providing strategic guidance and performance analysis to teams and players.
• Esports Journalist/Content Creator: Write articles or create content about esports news, events, and trends.
• Streamer/Influencer: Broadcasting gameplay and creating engaging content for platforms like Twitch, YouTube, etc.
• Team Manager: Managing an esports team’s logistics, schedules, and overall functioning.
• Event Organizer: Planning and managing esports events and tournaments.
• Caster/Commentator: Providing live commentary during esports matches.
• Product Manager. The person is responsible for every aspect of the product during launch and post-release. The specialist will oversee the development and lifecycle of esports-related products, ensuring they meet market and audience needs.
• Marketing and Public Relations. There is already a separate course in higher educational institutions that teaches journalism and PR in esports, as there is a demand for this direction. Many esports organizations seek qualified specialists who promote the brand, interact with fans, handle marketing campaigns, and sponsor relationships for teams, brands, or events.
• Psychologist. Mental health is a topic that concerns any person today. Only in the last ten years has quality attention begun to be paid to it, seeing its direct impact on activity. Sports and esports are no exception: players experience various stresses during competitive play. 
• Game Developer/Designer: Design and develop the games that are played competitively.
• Graphic Designer: Creating visual content for teams, games, and events.
• Social Media Manager: Managing the social media presence of teams, players, or esports brands.
• Legal and Compliance Advisor: Overseeing legal aspects related to contracts, intellectual property, and regulations in esports.
• Esports Agent: Represents professional players and negotiates contracts and endorsements.
• Sales and Merchandising Specialist: Manages the sale of merchandise and develops strategies to increase revenue.
• Broadcast and Production Crew: Handling the technical aspects of broadcasting esports events, including camera work, sound, lighting, etc.
• Community Manager: Engaging with and managing the community around a particular game, team, or brand.
• HR and Talent Acquisition Specialist: Managing esports organizations’ hiring and personnel aspects.
• Data Analyst: Analyzing game data to provide insights for teams, players, or game development.
• IT and Network Specialist: Ensuring reliable, high-performance IT and networking solutions for gaming events and teams.
• Health and Wellness Coach: Focusing on esports athletes’ physical and mental well-being.
• Public Relations Specialist: Managing public relations and media outreach for teams, events, or companies in the esports sphere.
• Customer Support Representative: Providing support for esports products, games, or services.
• Educator/Trainer: Teaching aspects of gaming, game development, or other esports-related areas in educational institutions.
• Financial Analyst/Advisor: Managing finances, budgeting, and financial planning for esports entities.
• Video Editor/Producer: Creating and editing video content related to esports.

This list showcases the diversity of roles available in the esports industry, catering to various skills and interests. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, a creative professional, or have expertise in business and management, there’s likely a role in esports where your skills can shine.

This sector has many more job options as the market is constantly growing. Finding a company that would satisfy the future specialist’s proposals and help reveal his professional skills is much more essential. 

BETER Esports: unique premium content and 400 international tournaments

BETER Esports provides a comprehensive range of esports tournaments. ESportsBattle is a premium esports content and BETER’s in-house tournament brand explicitly built for sportsbooks. It features head-to-head tournaments of famous gaming titles popular with sports and esports bettors. The product covers 33,000+ efootball, ebasketball, hockey, and CS2 events per month. 

This year, esports fans visiting ICE London can see all the product’s offerings. ESportsBattle is a perfect match for a huge community of esports players and fans, as it boasts 24/7 commercial tournaments and to welcome new professionals to join the team.