According to riots, the reason for this change is that what players and electronic sports organizations require. “We have agreed that it is time to open this category to create more revenue opportunities for teams,” wrote John Nedham, head of publishing and electronic sports in riot games.
There was a time in the history of electronic sports when the sponsorship dollars flowed, which led to a lot of revenues for gaming publishers and enabling organizations to pay the salaries of players in millions of dollars. Esports was seen as an investment vehicle, as media and even traditional sports companies invest their dollars in the hope of taking advantage of an unexploited market but steadily grow. One of the most popular examples, Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch League, The concession openings were sold for tens of millions of dollars For investors, such as the owner of New England Patriot Robert Kraft and Comcast.
But the relatively small revenues generated by these patrols in conjunction with the high costs of operating them, as well as the general economic shrinkage of Covid-19, means that companies cannot get a return on their investments and began to withdraw their money. It is forced to electronic sports organizations and electronic sports publishers alike to find new ways to push players and employees or close the risks completely, It was also the Overwatch League.
Over the past few years, RIOT has changed how electronic league championships have done a better tour of the so -called “electronic winter” or the general shrinkage of the electronic sports industry. the Very funny The ecosystem in the league has become smallerThus eliminating the financial burden of some teams to participate (costs $ 10 million to get an opening) while reducing financial responsibilities in favor of RIOT through the agreement to share revenue with joint teams. The addition of new categories of sponsors is the latest attempt by the company to bring sustainability to its corner of the stalled electronic sports scene.
So far, Riot has prevented e -sports partners from taking care of gambling companies. But the publisher says that his guidance can help implement the new type of care in a “responsible” way with instructions for the teams and riots that must be followed. These guidelines include riots that enter all potential bets, the teams that adhere to the integrity program, and the ban on gambling ads on team shirts or official broadcasting operations.
The official inclusion of sports betting comes with a great danger to both competitive and moral integrity. Children and youth watch these tables, as well as the media around them. Although riots do not allow gambling companies to put their slogans on shirts or official broadcasts, the surrounding media is likely to become more immersed in gambling performances. This is what we have already seen with programming and podcast that focuses on traditional sport such as the American Professional League and NFL in the years Since the professional and amateur Sports Protection Law (PASPA) was canceled in 2018.
As electronic sports revenues continue to decrease, the industry has become increasingly desperate for any new sources of financing. Riot Critical criticism To participate in the events funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the country for a long time Sports washing strategy. Including riots for sports betting league of legends and Brown It is likely to be less controversial.
