Why Esports Leagues Should Weather the Coronavirus Pandemic

Samson Amore
·1 min read

While esports companies are taking a short-term hit as live events shift to online-only competitions, industry experts say the gaming world could be well positioned to weather the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the threat of the spreading novel coronavirus forced game developer and Call of Duty League operator Activision Blizzard to completely pause its first annual “Call of Duty” season. Activision also canceled all home arena events in its nationwide Overwatch League throughout March and April, meaning fans can’t see their home teams play in-person for two months. Broadcast rights to esports matches and events this season have already been purchased and will air mostly as planned. “The competition is just moving from in-person to online, and that allows for the integrity of the rights to be what was purchased, so long as viewership is both as broad and deep as was intended,” said Ari Segal, chief executive of Culver City-based esports team owner Immortals Gaming Club, which competes in the now-on-hold League of Legends Championship Series. Also Read: How ESPN Plans to Survive Without Sports During Coronavirus Hiatus “League of Legends” developer Riot Games postponed many of its key upcoming esports events, including the 2020 League of Legends Championship...

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