Why ESPN Is Wrong About eSports

Fatal Hero: I’m sure you’ve already heard that ESPN top-dog John Skipper denies that eSports are any type of sport. He says this just after his own channel televised DOTA 2’s The International and amid rumors that League of Legends was looking to follow suit. He instead suggests that the whole thing is just “a competition” and how he’s “mostly interested in doing real sports.” It’s sad to see because unfortunately, Skipper seems to miss what makes eSports its own legitimate field.

[redinvader]

I enjoyed your observation about the parents cheering. I myself have not had a chance to see a live event nor attend one of those "eSport bars" but plan on doing so to get a better grasp.

[venom06]

its so funny reading nerd gamer try to make playing a video game into a sport.. Get over it. its NOT a sport. It's a fun little hooby for kids and men that want to keep a little bit of "kiddie" in their grown man lives..

[TheTimeDoctor]

I agree billing it as a sport does not do it justice and makes it easy to not take seriously.

[ZeroX9876]

so if they release a somewhat competitive kinect game, it could be called a sport right? since your doing some physical movements and its a competition.

[DeadlyFire]

Its a mental sport. Not a physical one. This is true, but strategy lies in both of them while playing. There is no doubting that if you want to win you have to adapt in either situation.

[3-4-5]

* Video games & Sports were my life growing up.

Played every sport possible, and I can safely say, Video Games are in a completely different category than Physical Sports.

* Video Games are most comparable to Golf.

Golf is a sport, but it's one that anyone can play...although not at a high level.

* It's easy to pick up and the most difficult to master.

It is as much a mental challenge as it is physical.

In this sense, we can compare Golf to Video games somewhat accurately.

* Your our thinking, out smarting somebody or something, using a bit of physical ability, but you need to stay " in the zone", in video games, just like you do in sports.

That "zone", is the same "zone", no matter if it's a video game or a real physical sport.

[Whirlwind_Fanfare_08]

Because they're stupid.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I view "eSports" more as competitions of mental skill not on of physical skill which is what I consider to "sports" to be. Its a subtle difference but to me "sports" entails a level of physical strength and/or endurance along with physical coordination. eSports is more mental skill and hand / eye coordination than anything. Just my personal take.

And it also should be noted that while I may not consider "eSports" to be a "sport" I certainly think its worthy of being watched and rooted for. Saying its not a sport to me doesn't diminish it as a competition.

[oSHINSAo]

Came here to post something related... for me eSports will never be a Spors...

[mhunterjr]

They aren't wrong. It isn't a sport... As they don't require any physical competition... But they do require skill.

I think people felt insulted by his comments, even though they weren't offensive in any way. ESPN cover a number of competitive events that aren't sports; poker, chess, billards, and now esport.

[MSBAUSTX]

Yes people, please do not confuse talent or skill as only being associated with atheletes. Painters are really talented and skillful but they do not belong on ESPN. Any event that can be done naked in your room while eating cheetos, is not a sport and doesnt belong on ESPN.

[slate91]

Going all out in COD butt naked eating cheetos lmaooo

[MSBAUSTX]

That is definitely good times whether it is a sport or not. LMAO ☺

[snowbearder]

People argue the same point about whether or not NASCAR is a sport. It just depends on what your definition of "sport" is.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I consider Nascar/Racing to be a technological competition. Yes the drivers have to have a level of physical endurance few have, and a mental toughness that even fewer have which puts it in neighborhood of "sport" for me BUT... the technology behind the cars plays as big a role in the races and thus why I see it more a competition of tech vs pure sport.

[Spotie]

But the tech is a pretty even playing field. The parts in the cars are virtually the same; it comes down to team preparation, driving, and luck.

In the end, physical ability is needed by the driver and pit crew.

[gamertk421]

Gaming, even professional, isn't a sport. Get over it! ESPN never said Poker was a sport either, but a professional competition, just like "esports."

[Slade23]

You know, I kind of quit calling it a sport because people will argue with it either way. So why not just leave it a professional competition than just making it a sport. Tbh, it's doing great without epsn.

[ZeroX9876]

esport is not sport, hence why the E before. its not the same word at all. just put a different description for each words and leave it as that.