Esports: The Sport Where Thumbs Matter More Than Biceps
The next time someone tells you to stop gaming and do something “productive,” just remind them: gaming pays, and sometimes, it pays more than kicking a football ever will
Move over cricket and football—there’s a new giant in town, and it doesn’t need a bat or a ball. Esports, short for electronic sports, has transformed from basement LAN parties to stadium-filled spectacles with millions of dollars on the line. Players—aka esports athletes—compete using PCs, consoles, and mobile devices, all in pursuit of fame, glory, and enough prize money to make traditional athletes take notice.
From Rolling Stone Subscriptions to Multi-Million Dollar Paychecks
Esports didn’t start with sold-out arenas and seven-figure sponsorships. It all began in 1972 when Stanford University hosted the first recorded gaming competition for the game Spacewar!—where the grand prize was a year-long subscription to Rolling Stone magazine. Compare that to today, where top players take home millions, and you can see why gaming parents have stopped telling their kids to “go outside and play.”
Esports Tournaments: Where Legends Are Made (and Bank Accounts Are Filled)
The world of esports isn’t just a bunch of teenagers shouting into headsets. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry featuring tournaments that put many traditional sports leagues to shame. Some of the biggest include:
- The International (Dota 2) – The 2019 edition boasted a $34 million prize pool, with OG taking home $15 million. Peak CCV: 5 million. Sponsored by Valve, NVIDIA, and Monster Energy.
- League of Legends World Championship – The 2023 finals shattered records with 6.4 million concurrent viewers. Prize pool: $6.45 million. Sponsored by Mastercard, Louis Vuitton, and Red Bull.
- Free Fire World Series 2021 – The battle royale tournament hit 5.41 million peak CCV with a $2 million prize pool. Brands: Garena, McLaren, Cristiano Ronaldo collaborations.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M4 Championship – Prize pool of $800,000, peak CCV 4.2 million. Sponsors: Samsung, TikTok.
- Fortnite World Cup 2019 – Bugha won $3 million, solo prize pool was $15 million, and the event peaked at 2.3 million concurrent viewers. Brands: Epic Games, Marvel, Nike.
The Richest Gamers & Esports Teams (Yes, They Exist) Think playing video games for a living doesn’t pay well? Think again.
- Top Earning Player: Johan "N0tail" Sundstein (Dota 2) – $7 million+ in winnings.
- Top Earning Team: Team Liquid – $54 million+ in total earnings.
Esports Joins the Big Leagues
For anyone still questioning whether esports is a “real sport,” guess what? It’s already been included in major sporting events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and even the Olympics (2026/27). That’s right—gaming is now an officially recognized competitive discipline, proving that reflexes and strategy are just as crucial as running fast or kicking a ball.
India’s Esports Boom: From Underdogs to Champions
India isn’t just about cricket anymore—esports is the new rising star. Indian teams and players are making waves in games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Valorant. Some of the biggest names include:
- Jonathan "Jonathan" Amaral – The undisputed GOAT of Indian esports, known for his insane skills in BGMI. He’s also a Red Bull athlete, so yes, gaming literally gives him wings.
- Naman "Mortal" Mathur & Tanmay "ScoutOP" Singh – These two have turned gaming into a mainstream profession, proving that pressing buttons strategically can be a full-time career.
How much do top esports players make? Let’s break it down:
Global superstars: Easily earn over ₹1-5 crore per year, including tournament winnings and sponsorships. Indian top-tier players: Salaries in games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Valorant cross ₹2 lakh per month, with additional brand deals making it even sweeter.
Esports vs. Traditional Sports: The Viewership Battle
If you think esports is just a niche, think again:
- League of Legends World Championship 2023: 6.4 million peak live viewers.
- The International (Dota 2): Millions tune in every year to watch battles more intense than a cricket Super Over.
Compared to traditional sports? While the Super Bowl still reigns supreme, esports events are now pulling in more live viewers than some major European football leagues.
Final Round: Esports is Here to Stay
From small gaming cafés in India to billion-dollar arenas worldwide, esports has become a juggernaut. With the Olympics embracing it, prize pools reaching crazy heights, and players becoming millionaires, gaming is no longer just a pastime—it’s a career, a lifestyle, and a full-fledged sport.
So, the next time someone tells you to stop gaming and do something “productive,” just remind them: gaming pays, and sometimes, it pays more than kicking a football ever will
