Blues looking at an eSports presence

[The_Wookie]

AT LEAST four AFL clubs are considering jumping into esports, or competitive video gaming, as the league itself looks at producing its own esports content.

In May, Adelaide became the first mainstream Australian sporting club to invest in the growing industry when it purchased Legacy Esports. Greater Western Sydney and West Coast have reportedly looked into buying or sponsoring a team as well.

But after club CEOs were pitched on the potential of esports during the season, fellow clubs Essendon and Carlton have looked at the opportunities available.

 

[ShanDog]

Alright I'm in, Carlton. I need a new GTX1080 though. For training.

 

[SickQwon]

Lol

 

[ferrisb]

I understand eSports is big business, but I worry about these kinds of tie-ups.

The suits will talk of growth rates, synergies, leveraging off fan bases, younger audiences, digital trends.

But in reality most people at the club will have NFI idea about what makes this tick and how to extract value (on both sides).

Could very well be wrong, but gut says it ends up as more of a distraction than a valuable add-on for clubs that go down that path.

 

[T2B_]

I guess we're now looking at snagging a digital premiership if nothing else?

 

[Metalcrusher]

You guys laugh .................

 

[Blue__Balls]

Good opportunity here to buy a team and rename them BlueGiantz...

 

[PrinceCharles]

In before Jimmae

 

[2ndeffort]

And this will be a gateway towards people following our club and buying memberships how?

 

[I bleed Blue]

Watching other people play video games?

Ive heard it all now....

 

[Aphrodite]

No interest whatsoever.

Bye!

 

[Aphrodite]

thylacine60 will love this thread.

 

[Chasing 17]

Footy clubs and competitive gaming is a bad mix.

 

[Chasing 17]

Location: sv_cheats 1

Two year WADA ban!

 

[ShanDog]

Watching other people play video games?

Ive heard it all now....

You're about 7-8 years behind the times if you've only just heard of it.

 

[drunkill]

I understand eSports is big business, but I worry about these kinds of tie-ups.

The suits will talk of growth rates, synergies, leveraging off fan bases, younger audiences, digital trends.

But in reality most people at the club will have NFI idea about what makes this tick and how to extract value (on both sides).

Could very well be wrong, but gut says it ends up as more of a distraction than a valuable add-on for clubs that go down that path.

Wait until a player is actually a nazi or a terrible person online in terms of trolling or hacking and watch the media response.

Okay whatever, as long as it makes the club money.

 

[Blue__Balls]

As a financial investment, I think it's a good move. The scene is gaining a lot of traction internationally, and Australia will gradually catch up (not to say we're not involved already, but there's definitely scope for significant growth).

Would be interested to know how involved Adelaide are with their acquisition. My guess would be that they oversee things from a very lofty perch without getting too involved with the day to day. Not too different from purchasing hotels/clubs/pubs etc. - as long as they're making money, the entity can run itself.

 

[MitchRobinson12]

Keen! Get with the times reptiles who are against it

 

[ShanDog]

Wait until a player is actually a nazi or a terrible person online in terms of trolling or hacking and watch the media response.

Okay whatever, as long as it makes the club money.

Yeah everyone under the age of 30 who plays video games is a Nazi or shitty troll.

Our footballers, on the other hand, are moral exemplars for our future generations.

 

[2ndeffort]

No problem if the club sees it as a genuine opportunity for an investment as long as they have done their homework, i just hope we dont lend our brand in any way to the platform. eSports investment seems to me like the age equivalent $$ fleecing of teenagers comparable to pokie machines for pensioners. Multi generational enrichment from mindless electronic fluff.

 

[Blue__Balls]

No problem if the club sees it as a genuine opportunity for an investment as long as they have done their homework, i just hope we dont lend our brand in any way to the platform. eSports investment seems to me like the age equivalent $$ fleecing of teenagers comparable to pokie machines for pensioners. Multi generational enrichment from mindless electronic fluff.

eSports = Pokies

That's a new one.

Care to elaborate on how kids are having their money fleeced by watching free streams of video game tournaments?

 

[thylacine60]

Wait until a player is actually a nazi or a terrible person online in terms of trolling or hacking and watch the media response.

Okay whatever it takes to make the club money.

 

[thylacine60]

eSports = Pokies

That's a new one.

Care to elaborate on how kids are having their money fleeced by watching free streams of video game tournaments?

doesn't any venture that is competitive run the risk of attracting gambling - legal or otherwise?

 

[2ndeffort]

eSports = Pokies

That's a new one.

Care to elaborate on how kids are having their money fleeced by watching free streams of video game tournaments?

Care to elaborate on how we are going to make a return on an eSports investment if they arent?

 

[Blue__Balls]

Care to elaborate on how we are going to make a return on an eSports investment if they arent?

Slow down - you threw the comment out there. eSports are pokies for kids, fleecing them of their hard earned money. Elaborate please.