Does pride, not money, spur growth in esports?

MSSA's 2015 Protea eSports Team

As prize money for esports (or egames) continues to rise,  the question of whether it is pride or prize-money that is king in the growth of the game becomes more and more pertinent.

However, this is not a problem that  only affects esports.

Indeed, all sports have  been through this - even the Olympics.

When the Olympic  movement started, there were those who wanted professionals to compete in such games.

However, it was the will of those who only wanted amateurs to compete that  held sway.

Only after the retirement of IOC President Avery Brundage in 1972, were the Olympic amateurism rules steadily relaxed, until being completely abandoned in the 1990s.

Even in the 2016 Summer Olympics, professional boxers were allowed to compete in boxing, though amateur fight rules are still used for the tournament.

As far as I recall the last amateur team to participate in the FIFA World Cup was in Argentina in1978.

Thus the fight between pride and money is indeed a long one, and is as old as the concept  of organised sport itself.

Thus while some seemingly good-hearted individuals  want to see egames move towards only being pride, I feel that such a move is totally misguided.

IeSF also fully understands where eSports has been, and where it is going. As a result IeSF skillfully combines the best of both pride and money to create a sustainable future.   

One cannot turn back the clock, and all sporting bodies have to move forward, and stay in line with the societies that they represent. There has to be a compromise between pride and money as it is extremely difficult for amateurs to deliver the same results as those produced by professionals.

Even the Olympic movement knows that!

Formation of the British eSports Association.

Formation of the British eSports Association.

A new not for profit organisation to represent competitive video gaming at all levels.

London – June 30^th 2016: Following authority from the UK Government today sees the establishment of the British eSports Association.

Located at Pinewood Studios, British eSports, acting as the National Governing Body for eSports in the United Kingdom, will work in conjunction with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to help and represent players at all levels; develop a grassroots competitive video game scene that will nurture future talent; support existing professionals and provide the infrastructure to create future British global champions. The activities for British eSports will be easily accessible at www.BritisheSports.org, a portal providing the latest news on events, teams and leagues, alongside impartial advice for both players and parents.

“The establishment of the British eSports Association is an important initiative in furthering the credibility of the eSports industry in the UK. Pinewood is excited to be part of this National Governing Body for eSports and is aiming to have a new National Training Centre for eSports to help with grassroots and future British Champions,” commented Jules Robinson, Head of Business Development, Pinewood Studios.

The not for profit organisation, British eSports will be chaired by AndyPayne OBE, with Chester King in the role of acting CEO. The next three months will see a consultation period, during which British eSports will be gathering feedback from the UK eSports sector to ensure it fully represents the interests of individuals, teams, game publishers and broadcasters alike.

Andy Payne, chair of British eSports, added, “I am an admirer of the work of other sports associations such as British Cycling, and I am very confident that if we welcome and embrace all parties in the UK eSports scene, we can deliver a range of benefits to all players, from professional to amateur in the UK over time. These are exciting times in eSports and the time is right to build this organisation from the grassroots up.”

Thoughts and ideas can be sent to info@britishesports.org.

For further information please contact:

Caroline Miller, Indigo Pearl

Caroline@indigopearl.com

0208 964 4545