After covering OTT and VR/AR so far this year, the third big topic we’re going to look into is the role esports has within the sports industry.

It’s a topic we’ve covered many times on DigitalSport.co and on the podcast on more than a few occasions. But many questions still remain as to how sport gets involved in esports. And what’s the difference between esports and sim sports?

It’s a big year for both with Overwatch League attracted some big money with franchises going for some $20m and Twitch laying down $90m for the rights to broadcast for the next 3 years! And with the Sim Sports side we’ve seen eMLS announced and NBA2K about to hit our screens. FIFA have rebranded the Interactive World Cup to the FIFA eWorld Cup and the eMLS as well as Gfinity’s Elite Series 3 feeding into the August event. And that’s just a few of many to mention for 2018.

We’ll be featuring not 1 but 2 panels during the evening. Our opening one looking at how sports teams/leagues have been getting involved in esports (with varying degrees of success). The second will be focussed on the grassroots side of esports. Details of which are below…

PANEL TOPICS:

Path to Pro: The Importance of Grassroots Esports

In this panel we’ll be asking questions around the upside down pyramid of esports and the opportunity for grassroots esports. The UK Esports scene, landmark projects and how to improve in the future. And Mobile – levelling the playfield for access to competition.

• Joe Hills – Strategic Partnership Director, Infinite Esports & Entertainment (moderator)
• Mary Antieul – Senior Esports & Partnership Manager, GAME Digital
• Deborah Mensah Bonsu – Content Manager/Presenter, Space Ape Games
• Rob Black – COO, ESL

How ‘traditional’ sports can succeed in esports;

• Tom Halls – Head of Strategic Development, Gfinity
• Adam Whyte – Head of Esports, GOAT Agency
• Charlie Beall – Senior Consultant, 7 League (moderator)
• Malph Minns – Managing Director, Strive Sponsorship