Understanding Esports: An Introduction to the Global Phenomenon places professional Esports, a rapidly growing industry, in both the cultural and athletic landscape. This book explores how the rise of professional gaming has shaped—and been shaped by—media trends, interpersonal communication, and what it means to be classified as an athlete. Ryan Rogers has assembled contributors from a variety of backgrounds and experiences in order to provide a broad view of the history, experience, and impact of professional gaming. Scholars of media studies, communication, sports, and cultural studies will find this book especially useful.

As esports is one of the new and rapidly growing sports programs at the collegiate level, today’s campus leaders are increasingly asked to navigate the complexity of esports. This practical volume helps higher education professionals understand the expanding role of collegiate esports, describing the ecosystem of college esports and the experience for college players, as well as the connections between gaming and career preparation. Chapter authors offer an overview and practical look at the main structures and issues facing collegiate esports programs, athletes, and administrators. Chapters address the needs of the campus gaming community, building gender and racial inclusivity, athlete health, amateurism and the esports athlete, the role of the technology industry, governance, career paths, and coaching. This cutting-edge volume offers information to support campus leaders and practitioners in building and expanding collegiate esports programs in the quickly growing and changing aspects of both online and face-to-face campus communities.

The definitive guide to the modern world of competitive gaming and the official history of Esports™. Almost overnight, esports—or competitive video games—have exploded into the largest entertainment and sporting phenomenon in human history. The Book of Esports answers: What exactly are esports, and how did they become so popular so quickly? Why did blockbuster video games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Starcraft succeed? Where exactly is all this video gaming headed? What do gamers and college students need to know to position themselves for success in the industry? How do you create a billion-dollar esports business? What strategic choices drive success in the modern gaming industry? Can video games really get your kid into college? (All expenses paid, of course...) Whether you are a lifelong gamer, a curious Fortnite parent, or a businessperson seeking to understand the marketing opportunities of this multibillion-dollar phenomenon, The Book of Esports charts the rise of this exciting new industry, for the first time ever crafting a comprehensive overview of esports and its implications for human competition—and even the future of humanity itself. Gaming luminary and Harvard MBA William Collis has painstakingly translated esports’ mysteries into a detailed and accessible testament for today. Featuring select interviews from the biggest names in the industry, The Book of Esportsweaves tales of trust, betrayal, and superhuman reflexes into predictive frameworks, explaining exactly why our industry looks the way it does, and how all this growth—and more—is inevitable as the divide between man and machine blurs into oblivion.

Esports have rapidly expanded from a pastime undertaken by casual players to one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry, in which hundreds of millions of people play and compete daily. Esports Business Management With HKPropel Access is one of the first textbooks to present an all-encompassing look into the world of esports business, will teach both aspiring students and sports professionals about the business of this rapidly expanding industry. Written by esports executives, business experts, and esports educators—and endorsed by the International Esports Federation, Esports Research Network, and the United States Esports Federation—the textbook offers a comprehensive approach to the operational side of esports, supplemented by a striking full-color design and dynamic imagery that will bring concepts to life. The text begins with a basic overview of the industry, including various levels of esports, culture, and social issues. Next, readers will explore the interests and concerns of various tiers of stakeholders—from title publishers and event organizers to leagues, sponsors, fans, and more—and learn about governance at multiple levels, from the international level to college conferences. A full look at the marketing engine of esports examines sponsorship opportunities, esports events and venues, and communications at all levels, including broadcasting, analytics, and social media. The book addresses managerial and business issues associated with running an esports-related entity, including financial and legal concepts as well as team and player management. The text concludes by examining careers found in the various segments of the industry and looking at the future of esports. Throughout the text, Zoning sidebars provide real-world spotlights that bring the concepts to life. Student learning will be enhanced by the related online learning aids delivered through HKPropel, with student exercises and case studies that apply content to life, industry profiles, and a list of Internet resources for further learning. While similarities exist between the sports and esports environments, there are also significant differences in how the esports industry must operate to thrive. Esports Business Management is the foundational text for understanding and working in this exciting, fast-paced industry. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

Prepare to be inspired by the story of Delane Parnell, the unlikeliest of CEOs now leading a gaming empire at the center of the booming, multibillion-dollar esports industry. Delane Parnell is not your typical tech entrepreneur. He was raised in a gang-riddled neighborhood on Detroit’s west side, bouncing between homes as his mother tried to make ends meet. Many of his closest friends and family members ended up in jail or dead. This makes it even more incredible that Delane became the 25-year-old founder and CEO of PlayVS, a Los Angeles company that is forever changing the gaming landscape in America. In 2018, esports— team-based competitive video gaming—became an officially sanctioned high school sport, meaning student gamers can now earn varsity letters just like their basketball and volleyball player peers. Delane’s startup is making that happen, providing the infrastructure that hosts the competitions, compiles the statistics, organizes playoff tournaments, and streams state championships for tens of thousands of students across the country. Ahead of the Game is a deeply reported narrative that tells the story of Delane, the motley group of underdogs and hustlers that helped build his several-hundred-million-dollar startup, and the previously overlooked students now participating in America’s growing esports phenomenon. It’s a tale of perseverance, courage, loyalty, race, family, tragedy, and believing you can overcome the odds—no matter how severely they’re stacked against you. Readers will also: Learn how the growing Esports industry is changing the lives of students across the country who were previously not engaged in the high school experience. Get a glimpse into a successful entrepreneur path unlike any other by following the story of how Delane Parnell created PlayVs in spite of the greatest of challenges. Be inspired that there is hope and opportunity available to people who go against conventional paths to realize their dreams. With a foreword by Sean "Diddy" Combs

"As esports has grown, the need for professional legal representation has grown with it. Justin's Essential Guide to the Business & Law of Esports & Professional Video Gaming provides a great baseline and will help prevent the legal horror stories of esports in the past." Mitch Reames, AdWeek and Esports Insider "Justin’s exploration of the business and law side of the esports sector fills a gap of knowledge that is an absolute necessity in truly understanding the esports space." Kevin Hitt, The Esports Observer The Essential Guide to the Business & Law of Esports & Professional Video Gaming covers everything you need to know about the past, present, and future of esports and professional video gaming. The book is written by one of the foremost attorneys and business practitioners in today’s esports and professional gaming scene, Justin M. Jacobson, Esq. This guide is meant to provide you with an in-depth look at the business and legal matters associated with the esports world. • Includes coverage of the stakeholders in the esports business "ecosystem," including the talent, the teams, the publishers, and the event organizers. • Explores various legal fields involved with esports, including intellectual property, employment and player unions, business investments and tax "write-offs," immigration and visas, event operation tips, social media and on-stream promotions, and much more. • The most current book on the market, with actual contract provisions modeled on existing major esports player, coach, shoutcaster, and sponsorship agreements. About the Author Justin M. Jacobson, Esq. is an entertainment and esports attorney located in New York City. For the last decade, he has worked with professional athletes, musicians, producers, DJs, record labels, fashion designers, as well as professional gamers, streamers, coaches, on-air talent, and esports organizations. He assists these creative individuals with their contract, copyright, trademark, immigration, tax, and related business, marketing, and legal issues. He is a frequent contributor to many industry publications and has been featured on a variety of entertainment, music, and esports publications and podcasts, including Business Insider, The Esports Observer, Esports Insider, Tunecore, and Sport Techie. Justin has positioned himself as a top esports business professional working with talent in a variety of franchise leagues including the Overwatch League, Overwatch Contenders, and Call of Duty Pro League as well as in many popular competitive titles such as Fortnite, CS:GO, Gears of War, Halo, Super Smash Brothers, Rainbow 6, PUBG, Madden, and FIFA and mobile games such as Brawlhalla, Clash of Clans, and Call of Duty mobile. Previously, he worked with various esports talent agencies as well as in an official capacity on behalf of several esports teams and brands.

"This volume explores the many unique motivations driving the rapid growth of the esports industry from a variety of perspectives and theoretical vantage points. Contributors examine the traditions, cultures, expectations, and rituals that factor into decisions to play and watch esports"--