Recently, the rise of eSports has been exceptional with MOBA games taking the forefront in the efforts to make eSports a traditional phenomenon. It's continual growth has attracted many businessmen, including Rick Fox, into the eSports industry.
While it is inevitable to see more money invested in the steady growth of eSports, it has so many questions and variables to its longetivity. In the other hand, many discuss about how eSports franchises are simply being bought by businessmen, harming the integrity of the fans and the organizations. However, in the long run, both concerns have long-lasting answers through franchise purchases. Here, we will discuss briefly how purchases can be healthy for the scene as well as some of the purchases around the scene.
Not too long ago, IESF held their 7th e-Sports World Championship, where a summit was held with various figures from a variety of backgrounds. The board discussed about what eSports needs to be nurtured and accepted as a traditional sport in the mannerism of longetivity. They brought up answers including the open arms of both the macro-perspective (government, society, markets, etc.) and micro-perspective (family, friends, etc.) of society to increase it's growth curve. In addition, the discussion sparked the financial safety of players as a factor, which businesses must invest into. This is where businesses and businessmen can help the eSports environment.
The recent purchases of the teams have been healthy in that the investors are not only expanding the money surrounding eSports, but the safety of the players in the professional environment.
Rick Fox, an ex-NBA champion, has recently purchased the League of Legends team, Team Gravity. The team had relative success considering how young the team was at the time. It has been said that the team will rebrand as the new, "Echo Fox."
NRG and Immortals have purchased Team Coast and Team 8, respectively. These teams have well known Korean elite players who are expected to perform well against the best teams in the NALCS.
In the other side of the globe, Taiwanese pop-star, Jay Chou, starts his own eSports team in Taiwan. The team will brand as "MRJ." They are expected to make results during the LMS season.
All of the recent purchases of teams will have visible effects to the eSports industry. What do you think will the changes will be? Let us know in the comment section below!
