The past few years have witnessed the burgeoning of eSports from a low-key gathering of video game enthusiasts into a commercial product with incredible popularity. In 2016 alone, eSports has found victories in the form of an eSports vertical on the ESPN website and the imminent broadcasting of eSports on Facebook. Alas, eSports skeptics still exist in droves — there is (and always will be) a surplus of people who will never admit that video games are a sport.
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A recent decision by the Pac-12 athletic conference is sure to convince a handful of West Coast residents that eSports is the real deal. Last Tuesday, the Pac-12 announced that it will be both running and broadcasting eSports, becoming the first collegiate conference to give eSports the distinction that typical, conventional sports have.
In the initial press release regarding the decision, the Pac-12 stated that “Pac-12 universities are increasingly involved through passionate student groups competing in competitions with popular games. eSports is also closely tied to academic departments at Pac-12 universities such as computer science, visual and cinematic arts, engineering and others.” So the Pac-12 seems to have run out of reasons to not become intimately involved with eSports since they are already a massive presence on Pac-12 campuses, and had even found its way into classes.
The marriage between eSports and the Pac-12 is a win for everyone. The Pac-12 will be lauded for expanding its interests enough to satisfy the portion of the population that is as passionate about eSports as basketball, baseball, or football players are about their craft. Pac-12 eSports participants themselves can rest easy knowing that their actions are officially recognized by their athletic conference, and will even be broadcasted. And eSports as a whole will see yet another spike in popularity as it becomes a legitimate staple of the Pac-12.
While there’s no question that eSports has been on the up-and-up for a while now, its recent endeavors are increasing its popularity exponentially. And with recognition by the Pac-12, an ESPN vertical, and more, eSports is rapidly and assuredly establishing its place as a prime source of entertainment.