Esports used to be a small market for a niche class of gamers. These gamers are primarily interested in watching people with great skill outplay one another. Now, it has become a million-dollar industry and one that will become an essential part of the digital marketing ecosystem.
Esports is growing rapidly in the United States. The market reached a billion-dollars revenue in 2021, and it’s estimated that it will profit even more in the future. The number of people who watch esports is also increasing. In the United States, there are now more than 191 million viewers of esports content, and that number is expected to reach more than 250 million by 2020.
There are several reasons for the growth of esports in the United States. One reason is that the technology needed to play and watch esports has become more widespread. More people have access to smartphones, laptops, and other devices to watch or play esports games. Another reason is that the quality of esports games has improved. There are now more competitive games with high production values, which has made the experience more enjoyable for viewers.
With this increasing growth rate, many digital marketers are now arguing whether it’s profitable to sponsor an esports team. If you’re in this dilemma, then worry no more. Instead, here’s everything you need to know about sponsoring an esports team.
What’s an Esports team?
An esports team is a group of professional gamers who play together in tournaments for money or prizes. The team typically consists of five players, and each player has a specific role in the game. There are three main types of esports teams:
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Competition Teams
These teams compete in tournaments for money or prizes.
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Streaming Teams
These teams stream their gameplay on Twitch or YouTube.
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Professional Gaming Organizations
These companies manage multiple esports teams and offer them support in terms of training, equipment, and sponsorship deals.
What Should You Consider Before Sponsoring a Team?
Sponsoring an esports team is not as simple as just writing a check. There are several things you need to consider before sponsoring a team.
The very first thing you need to make sure that the team is reputable and has a good track record. You don’t want to sponsor a team known for throwing matches or cheating in tournaments. You also need to make sure that the team is compatible with your brand. The team’s branding should align with your brand, and their target audience should be similar to your target audience. However, you don’t have to be a gaming company to have a booming market in esports.
Various sponsorships from Red Bull, Nike, and other big off-brands that have very little stake in gaming have made money from these sponsorship deals. With this in mind, you also need to make sure that the team is affordable. Sponsoring a professional esports team can be expensive, so make sure you have the budget.
Once you’re done with your research, you’re ready to sponsor a team.
How to Sponsor an Esports Team?
Sponsoring an esports team can mean various ways. You can choose to directly pay and get a stake in the company. Some choose to purchase gaming equipment for the team. Other companies pay for necessary functions, such as starting a good creative design studio for the team. All of these things are possible ways you can sponsor an esports team, and it all depends on your talks with the team manager. When discussing a sponsorship deal with an esports team, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
Benefits of Sponsoring an Esports Team
Ever since esports became a big deal in the United States, over 600 sponsorship deals have been made in esports. Sure, not all of them are successful, but they certainly gave certain advantages to different companies.
There are many benefits of sponsoring an esports team. The most obvious benefit is that you get exposure to the team’s fanbase. Sponsoring a team also gives you access to the team’s social media accounts, which can be a great way to promote your brand. You also get access to the team’s email list, which can be used to send out marketing materials or promotional deals.
Another benefit of sponsoring a team is that you can get exclusive access to the team’s content. This content can be used to create marketing materials or even just used to entertain your employees. Finally, sponsoring a team gives you insider access to the gaming industry. This can be valuable for companies that are looking to enter the gaming market, especially if you want to target much younger audiences.
Sponsoring an esports team can be a great way to promote your brand and get exposure to the team’s fanbase. However, it’s important to do your research before sponsoring a team to make sure that they are reputable and compatible with your brand. Sponsoring a team can also be expensive, so make sure you have the budget for it.
