eSports
5 Key Similarities Between Esports Players and Traditional Sports Players
Whether you’ve been a dedicated gamer for years or simply enjoy casual sessions in your free time, you’ve no doubt heard of Esports. One of the biggest sectors shaking up the gaming industry in recent years, Esports is a form of competitive gaming that sees professional players compete against opponents either individually, or in teams.
As Esports grows in popularity, many have begun to consider whether the activity should actually be considered a ‘sport’, as its name suggests. One fact that supports this argument is the similarities between Esports players and athletes that compete in more conventional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, or EFL. Although it may seem like these two parties have little in common, this is not the case. From the way they train, to the fanbase surrounding them, both Esports competitors and their traditional athletic counterparts share many qualities. In this article we take a look at some of the biggest similarities between the two. Who knows – after reading this you may be persuaded to take Esports more seriously.
Intense Training Regimes are the Norm
We’ve all heard of the phrase, ‘practice makes perfect’ and this could not be truer in the world of sports. All athletes, whether amateur or professional, can’t compete to the best of their ability if they have not spent adequate time on the practice field. Just like regular sports players, Esports players must prepare themselves to perform competitively. The only real difference here lies in the manner in which the two types of athletes do so.
For example, basketball players normally hit the court multiple times a week, running through drills with their teammates and practicing certain plays. Physical exercises may include lunges, squats, and pullups, while weight training is also important. On the other hand, Esports players keep themselves busy by working on their reflexes and response times. Since many games are first-person shooter titles, Esports competitors must have elite hand eye coordination, and rapid finger movement. Although the way they train is focused on the development of distinct skill-sets, both athletic pursuits require a significant amount of practice.
Both Groups Compete with Fans Present
It’s no secret that fans are what drives much of the sports industry’s lucrative nature. When it comes to both Esports and traditional sports, massive audiences of loyal fans follow players to the ends of the earth. In fact, Esports tournaments are often held in huge, multi-purpose sports stadiums and see thousands of spectators cheering on their favorite players. Sports like hockey, football, and baseball also have annual competitions and seasonal games that sell out arenas around the world.
Additionally, betting is a common practice in both athletic fields, as fans take to virtual platforms to place wagers ahead of important match ups. Online sports betting for traditional sports is currently taking off in places like the U.S. as more lawmakers begin to legalize the activity in their states. This has caused more and more providers to pop up throughout the web, offering promotions such as risk-free bets to new and existing customers. Little is different in the world of Esports, as the growing number of premium leagues is leading to greater investment and spectator interest, causing the market to grow exponentially.
In the future, the rates of spectatorship in Esports are only expected to grow, causing a steady increase in the availability of betting platforms as well. One thing’s for certain – if you attend a live competition in either sport and close your eyes to hear only the fan’s cheers around you, both audiences are sure to deliver loud cries of support for the teams they support.
Communication is Crucial for Success
Like any team sport, communication is a hugely important factor that can either drive success or produce failure. In the same way that members of a football team are constantly communicating with their teammates out on the pitch, Esports competitors must embrace teamwork and speak verbally to each other throughout gameplay. This has resulted in the arrival of gaming jargon that is Esports-specific. For instance, a ‘carry’ refers to a player that is protected by the rest of their team with the intention of pulling a surprise attack on the opponent, while ‘man on’ is the call that one player makes to another to warn them that an opposing force is close by.
Likewise there is a wealth of jargon utilized in traditional leagues. In the NFL, any single game is packed full of specialist terms that players use to communicate the state of play. After all, when you’re in the heat of the moment trying to score a goal no one has time for long sentences.
An Esports announcer gets the crowd hyped up during a live tournament
Players Have Celebrity Status
As stated before, both groups are widely followed by fans around the world. This has caused them to retain celebrity status in their respective circles. Esports players are well-known on different streaming sites like Twitch which give them a platform to share their talent. Additionally, events like the annual Esports Awards bring further attention to those in the professional gaming scene.
Traditional sports stars have massive followings on social media and are recognized in public wherever they go. At live tournaments and games, Esports players are flooded with media attention and requests for photographs, as their fans just want a small opportunity to get up close and personal with the professional gamers they know and love. This is no different in traditional sports, as backstage passes and VIP seats are highly sought after.
Hefty Salaries and Endorsement Deals
Last but not least, Esports players and traditional sports players both take home considerably salaries. In fact, the monetary rewards for winning at Esports tournament actually rivals those of standard professional sports organizations. These prize pools are so large that pro gamers have the opportunity to double their yearly earnings with just one victory. In both sports, endorsements and sponsorships are the norm, as huge brands like BMW, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and many more look to invest.
So, there you have it. Perhaps now you can see how closely intertwined players of Esports and traditional sports really are, despite their surface-level differences.
- Team Vitality launches 2025 Alternate Jersey and an exclusive apparel collection, bringing a new level of energy and excitement for fans.
- The jersey, featuring a white base with red and blue accents, pays homage to the French flag and will be worn by all Team Vitality athletes at major esports events taking place in France later this year, including the Rocket League Worlds and EVO Nice.
- The Alternate Jersey is available today for €79.99, both online and at Team Vitality’s official Paris store.
Team Vitality is proud to unveil its new Alternate Jersey, accompanied by an exclusive apparel collection. This launch completes the club’s annual merchandise lineup, following the release of the black Pro Jersey earlier this year and the iconic yellow US-style Jersey worn during the Austin Major triumph.
This Alternate edition, featuring the French blue, white and red, honours Team Vitality’s Parisian roots while celebrating the major esports events set to close out the year in France.
The jersey will feature on the global stage with the Rocket League team at the World Championships from September 12 to 14.
PERFORMANCE MEETS LIFESTYLE
The Alternate Collection features a new, stylish jersey and a limited-edition clothing line that blends performance and lifestyle. As with every year, the Alternate Jersey is traditionally white, serving as a complement to the black Pro Jersey released earlier in the year.
Designed in collaboration with hummel, the jersey combines comfort and performance, offering a lightweight fit built to withstand the demands of competitive play. The accompanying exclusive apparel collection follows the same artistic vision, offering clothing and accessories designed for everyday wear. This brand-new lifestyle range, along with exclusive items, reflects the club’s distinctive style.
ALTERNATE JERSEY
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Jersey – €79.99
- Team Vitality’s Alternate 2025 Sleeves – €29.99
- Exclusive Vitality Alternate 2025 Pack – €79.99 (includes 1 Alternate Jersey and a complimentary pair of exclusive sleeves)
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LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Sweatshirt – €59.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 T-Shirt – €29.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Jacket – €69.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Joggers – €54.99
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ACCESSORIES
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Scarf – €19.99
- Team Vitality Alternate 2025 Flag – €24.99
- Collector Cards (set of 3 or 8 trading cards) – €5.99
- Mouse Pad (small / large) – €19.99 / €29.99
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BASILISK, the global esports organization built to champion science, announced the signing of legendary fighting game competitor Justin ‘Jwong’ Wong as captain of its newly formed Fighting Game Community (FGC) Division. Wong will lead BASILISK’s entry into the FGC by recruiting players, developing community events, and creating FGC – science crossover content.
“Justin isn’t just a competitive genius – he is a cultural icon and humble leader within the FGC. We are incredibly proud to have him leading our FGC division and support the amazing work he already does for the community,” said BASILISK co-founder Christopher Bothur.
A nine-time Evolution Championship Series (Evo) Champion and Guinness World Record holder, Wong brings unparalleled FGC credibility and expertise to BASILISK. His reach extends across the entire FGC fandom of millions, and he was immortalized in Evo Moment #37 which has over 100 million views.
As Captain of BASILISK FGC, Wong will leverage BASILISK’s data analytics to scout and train the next generation of FGC pros.
“Math is super important to fighting games. I’m excited to join science’s esports team. I’m passionate about finding promising players with a positive mentality and shaping them into the next big thing. I want to see somebody else in the spotlight after me and help them reach their potential. If we can discover the next world champion, that would be fantastic,” said Wong upon joining BASILISK.
The signing comes on the heels of BASILISK’s new partnerships with The Planetary Society and Caltech’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), announced in July. These collaborations create a powerful bridge between renowned scientific institutions and gamers, which Wong will amplify to his millions of followers and fans.
“Justin is a dream addition to our organization. He exemplifies the dedication and analytical capacity required to be an esports champion or great scientist,” added BASILISK co-founder Hans Kassier.
Wong becomes the second “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) to join BASILISK, alongside Finnish StarCraft 2 legend Joona “Serral” Sotala, who just captured the SC2 Esports World Cup Championship in July 2025. The signing also creates opportunities for cross-over content with BASILISK’s diverse roster, including chess Grandmaster Vincent Keymer and award-winning science communicator Kyle Hill, who brings over 2.5 million followers and a vast network of science enthusiasts to the organization.
Nine-time Evo Champion and Guinness World Record Holder Brings Legendary Status to Captain New Team, Recruit Talent, and Advance Science’s Role in Competitive Gaming
BASILISK, the global esports organization built to champion science, today announced the signing of legendary fighting game competitor Justin ‘JWong’ Wong as captain of its newly formed Fighting Game Community (FGC) Division. Wong will lead BASILISK’s entry into the FGC by recruiting players, developing community events, and creating FGC – science crossover content.
“Justin isn’t just a competitive genius – he is a cultural icon and humble leader within the FGC,” said BASILISK co-founder Christopher Bothur. “We are incredibly proud to have him leading our FGC division and support the amazing work he already does for the community.”
A nine-time Evolution Championship Series (Evo) Champion and Guinness World Record holder, Wong brings unparalleled FGC credibility and expertise to BASILISK. His reach extends across the entire FGC fandom of millions, and he was immortalized in Evo Moment #37 which has over 100 million views.
As Captain of BASILISK FGC, Wong will leverage BASILISK’s data analytics to scout and train the next generation of FGC pros.
“Math is super important to fighting games. I’m excited to join science’s esports team,” said Wong upon joining BASILISK. “I’m passionate about finding promising players with a positive mentality and shaping them into the next big thing. I want to see somebody else in the spotlight after me and help them reach their potential. If we can discover the next world champion, that would be fantastic.”
The signing comes on the heels of BASILISK’s new partnerships with The Planetary Society and Caltech’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), announced in July. These collaborations create a powerful bridge between renowned scientific institutions and gamers, which Wong will amplify to his millions of followers and fans.
“Justin is a dream addition to our organization,” added BASILISK co-founder Hans Kassier. “He exemplifies the dedication and analytical capacity required to be an esports champion or great scientist.”
Wong becomes the second “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) to join BASILISK, alongside Finnish StarCraft 2 legend Joona ‘Serral’ Sotala, who just captured the SC2 Esports World Cup Championship in July 2025. The signing also creates opportunities for cross-over content with BASILISK’s diverse roster, including chess Grandmaster Vincent Keymer and award-winning science communicator Kyle Hill, who brings over 2.5 million followers and a vast network of science enthusiasts to the organization.
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