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5 Key Similarities Between Esports Players and Traditional Sports Players

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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.

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SIS launches market-leading esports product in Kentucky with bet365

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SIS Content Services, part of the SIS Group (Sports Information Services), the leading global multi-content supplier of 24/7 live betting services, has made its market entry in Kentucky with ebasketball from its esports product suite now live with long-term operator partner bet365.

This launch in the Bluegrass State enhances SIS’ reputation as a leading supplier in the esports betting space, widening the audience that can engage with its competitive gaming content across the US. It follows on from successful launches of its esports products in New Jersey and Colorado.

Developed specifically for betting, SIS’ H2H Global Gaming League ™ hosts over 150,000 events per year. The Competitive Gaming content is produced entirely in-house from SIS’ self-contained gaming studios in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. It has ultra-low (sub-second) latency live streaming, visible ESIC-trained integrity referees for every game, live caster commentary, and on-screen graphics with unique betting prompts to maximize engagement.

SIS’ short-form, event-based esports product provides a full end-to-end solution with integrity at its core and is proven to deliver superior margins around the clock, adding as much as 10% in value to sportsbooks.

Since legalized sports betting launched in Kentucky in September, it has generated $447.8 million in handle across retail and mobile, providing SIS with the opportunity to expand its US offering.

Michele Fischer, Vice President, SIS Content Services, said: “As Kentucky is a basketball state, we are confident that our ebasketball product will provide an elevated experience for the bettors on the bet365 platform. Our offices are located in Louisville, so it is meaningful to be part of the sports betting infrastructure in our home state.”

Richard Ames, Chief Executive, SIS, and President, SIS Content Services, said: “To grow our esports content across the US has been an aim of ours for some time, and to be able to expand our competitive gaming product into a third US state showcases how we are well-placed to deliver engaging wagering experiences to bettors.”

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HAWKS TALON GC ADVANCE TO ROUND FOUR IN BRACKET PLAY OF SLAM OPEN

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Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, advanced to the fourth round of bracket play in the SLAM OPEN after a 3-1 victory over the No. 19 seeded Gen.G Tigers on Thursday night.

Talon took game one 21-19, followed by wins of 22-13 and 22-9 in games three and four to close out the series. Mark David ‘MDS’ Smith lead the way, netting 16 and 10 points in games three and four. ‘MDS’ averaged 9.5 points on .700% from the field (14-20 FGM) and .770% from deep (10-13 3FGM) and 4.0 assists over the four games.

“The team is really working as a unit right now, and that includes all five guys and not just the three playing,” said Hawks Talon head coach Ismael ‘MAELO’ Diaz Tolentino. “They’re communicating constantly, and I’m really happy to have a group of guys like this.”

The No. 22 seeded Talon advanced with victories over No. 11 Bucks Gaming (3-0) last Friday night, No. 27 Rim Runners (3-1) on Wednesday night, and No. 19 Gen.G Tigers (3-1) Thursday night.

Hawks Talon will face No. 2 Lakers Gaming in round four on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

In the double elimination bracket format, Hawks Talon will advance to the semifinals portion of the bracket with a win against Lakers Gaming tomorrow night or will bump down to the losers portion of the bracket with a loss, where all games would be single elimination. All semifinals and finals games will be played on Saturday afternoon

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The World’s Best Street Fighter 6 Players Are Set to Clash at Red Bull Kumite New York on March 16th & 17th – Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

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  • The two-day event will be held at the historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, New York, March 16 & 17, 2024.
  • The Main Event on March 17 will be in single elimination format, where 16 players, including an invitee and the Play-In winner, battle through a bracket drawn during the opening ceremony in first-to-five matches.
  • Confirmed fighters include renowned players such as reigning champion Adel “Big Bird” Anouche, Valentin “Valmaster” Petit and Lin “Oil King” Li-wei.
  • Commentary lineup features Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, Femi “F-Word” Adeboye, and others for expert insight and analysis.
  • AOC returns as the Official Monitor Partner with PlayStation as the Official Console Partner and Vitrix as the official partner of peripherals.
  • The tournament will be streamed live on twitch.tv/redbull and youtube.com/@redbullgaming.

Red Bull Kumite, the eminent Street Fighter 6 tournament, is set to take place this weekend in New York with the full roster of fighters announced and ready to duke it out for the title of Red Bull Kumite 2024 Champion. Here’s everything you need to know!

A highlight in the Fighting Game Community’s calendar, the two-day event will take place at the historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, a fitting venue for what will be one of the most memorable FGC events of 2024. Bringing a rich and immersive storyline to this year’s tournament, fans will play witness to the villainous Battle King’s scheme to rule the underground world of Street Fighter, with only one hero set to emerge victorious.

Confirming the final players who complete the exciting lineup, Red Bull Kumite New York features notable talent such as French competitor Valentin “Valmaster” Petit and the 2023 EVO JP Champion, Lin “Oil King” Li-wei. Since January, fierce competition has also been unfolding on local battlefields, with numerous contenders vying for the last two coveted spots in the Grand Final. Last year’s champion Adel “Big Bird” Anouche will be returning to the iconic cage to defend his title in the ultimate Street Fighter showdown. Players from Japan, Italy, USA, Canada, and France have been competing for the final play-in spots and will be in with a chance to overthrow the pros in what would surely be one of the biggest upsets in FGC esports.

Red Bull Kumite New York kicks off with the Play-In on March 16th, featuring a double-elimination, first-to-three tournament between the eight players who have come from World Qualifiers. The winner will then qualify for the Main Event on March 17th.

The Main Event is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 players, including 14 that have been directly invited, and winners of the Last Chance Qualifier and Play-In. The bracket draw will take place at the opening ceremony, preceding the action kicking off from round one all the way to the Grand Final, all played in a first-to-five format (BO9).

With the stakes at their highest, the event promises a stellar showcase of unbridled talent, complemented by a distinguished commentary team. Renowned players Joe “LI Joe” Ciaramelli and host Rob “RobTV” Burney will join forces to guide viewers through the thrilling matches. The commentary lineup also includes Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, reporter Zhi Liang Chew, Femi “F-Word” Adeboye, Logan Sama, and Samantha “Persia” Hancock, all returning for another year to provide expert insight and analysis.

Confirmed players for Red Bull Kumite 2024 are as follows:

  • Victor “Punk” Woodley (USA)
  • Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II (Dominican Republic)
  • Tsunehiro “Gachikun” Kanamori (Japan)
  • Adel “Big Bird” Anouche (United Arab Emirates)
  • Wong “Chris Wong” Yuk-cheung (Hong Kong)
  • Derek “iDom” Ruffin (USA)
  • Hibiki The Beast (Japan)
  • Masato “Bonchan” Takahashi (Japan)
  • Lin “Oil King” Li-wei (Taiwan)
  • Valentin “Valmaster” Petit (France)
  • Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi (Japan)
  • Du “NuckleDu” Dang (United States)
  • Shin “Leshar” Moon-sup (South Korea)
  • Rob “Broski” Livingston (United Kingdom)

Play-in competitors vying for a spot in the grand final:

  • USA: Noah “NoahTheProdigy” Solis
  • USA: Sean “Shine” Simpson
  • USA: Alan “Nephew” Sun
  • USA: Stephen “Space Boy” Agyemang
  • France: Nathan “Mister Crimson” Massol
  • Italy: Andrea “Garnet” Parlangeli
  • Japan: Ryukichi
  • Canada: Kuang “Zhen”

Red Bull Kumite New York is joined by three amazing partners for 2024 including AOC as the Official Monitor Partner, bringing exceptional visual clarity and ultra-high refresh rates to competitors, while PlayStation kicks into gear as the Official Console Partner. Red Bull Kumite New York will also be partnering with world-leading peripherals and accessories manufacturer, Victrix, to provide unique and accessible gear to the gaming community.

Watch Red Bull Kumite New York live on March 16 and March 17 via twitch and youtube.

Please see below for a recap:

  • Red Bull Kumite, the prestigious fighting game tournament, will take place in New York and kick off on March 16 & 17, 2024 at Brooklyn’s historic Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse
  • AOC will be this year’s official Monitor Partner, bringing exceptional visual clarity and ultra-high refresh rates to competitors. Playstation joins Red Bull Kumite for the first time as Official Console Partner with Victrix joining as official partner of peripherals.

AOC

Founded in 1967, AOC is a globally leading monitor and IT accessories brand and a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, the world’s largest LCD manufacturer. AOC’s comprehensive product portfolio provides innovative, ergonomic, environmentally conscious and stylish solutions for professional as well as personal applications. The sub-brand of AOC, AGON by AOC, offers one of the strongest portfolios of high-performance gaming monitors in the world and a complete ecosystem of gaming accessories grouped in three categories: AOC GAMING for core gamers, AGON for competitive gamers and AGON PRO for esports enthusiasts and professional esports players. Since 2020 AGON by AOC has been one of the leading gaming monitor brands and a top choice of gamers worldwide.For more information please refer to AGON by AOC’s official website or follow AGON by AOC on Facebook, X or Instagram.

PlayStation

PlayStation Tournaments enables gamers of all levels to compete, win prizes, and connect with others worldwide, directly from their PlayStation consoles. PS5 Tournaments are available in a diverse range of games, fostering a community where participants can showcase their skills, enjoy competitive play, and take-home incredible prizes.

Victrix

PDP Gaming is an industry leader providing high-quality licensed peripherals and accessories for all major video game platforms. PDP believes that design-forward, high-performance gear should be as unique and accessible as the gaming community itself. From beginner to professional, PDP’s product lines offer uncompromising performance and striking designs that transport gamers into seamless, immersive experiences where competition, connection, and personal expression are limitless. Victrix by PDP is purpose built for Esports athletes and enthusiasts looking for unmatched performance and competitive advantage. For over 25 years, PDP has been supplying video game peripherals and accessories to major retailers across the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. For more information, visit PDP website and VICTRIXPRO website.

 

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