Esports was our Digital Sport topic of the month for March. And at our Esports Special event, there were two panel discussions on the subject.

The first of which was about the lay of the land in the sector, and how traditional sports teams are getting involved. Who’s doing it well and who’s doing it badly, and so on.

The second was arguably a bit more niche. It’s the side people think about a little bit less. Whereas traditional sports always tend to their grassroots, esports is so new that the idea of participation hasn’t yet taken hold for many people. Thankfully some people are thinking about it.

It’s important for the sports, of course, that young participants don’t just see it as a hobby, but as a potential career, too. Not just because those within the sector wish to see the potential best players take it seriously, but also because it solidifies the feeling that this is more than just a hobby. And that has repercussions for the whole culture going forward.

Throwback to last week's #DSLondon event on esports

Watch @Rob_Morg_Black explain why grassroots players need to have a clear path to pro

???????? pic.twitter.com/2WqOI8B7yj

— Digital Sport (@DigitalSportUK) April 4, 2018

A path to professional status is necessary not just to keep the best players in the sport but also to ensure that it has credibility. “It’s certainly a very big part of the publisher’s role, that if they want to activate their player base into esports, they have to be encouraging that jump,” said Rob Black, COO, ESL.