ESports gaming professionals are beginning to gain millions of dollars in professional competition. Here’s how much the greatest players win.

There is no question about it – worldwide eSports sales grew significantly in 2019, up 27 per cent from 2018, according to Newzoo, a gaming market research firm. 

Popular leagues are storming the industry like League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite leading the way. In addition, major global brands such as Coca-Cola (KO)-Get Report, T-Mobile (TMUS)-Get Report and Toyota (TM)-Get Report, among others, are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsorship capital. 

With plenty of cash streaming into the picture, how do eSports teams and players make money? In the first place, by capitalist means, every American would recognize:

• Cash prizes. There is no lack of prize money open to eSports gaming players, with single-game cash earnings of up to $200,000. Some high-level tournaments, such as Dota 2 International, are earning $10 million to the winning team. 
• The team’s wages. eSports promises monthly salaries to team players, with average salaries of $3,000-to-$5,000 a month in gaming hotbeds like China and the U.S. Top chelon players will gain a lot more, up to $15,000 for a single competition and prizes. Such clubs also sell their players incentives such as life care and retirement plans.
• Sponsors. With big global brands in the picture, eSports is racing in sponsorship currency. Most of the money goes to competition and cash prizes, and some go directly to team ownership, as is the case for Audi and its sponsorship of the Astralis Counter Strike franchise. Sponsors made up $456 million of the gross sales of $1.1 billion for eSports this year, Newzoo estimates. 
• Digital streaming.  Online rivalry has since spawned a highly powerful and well-organized network of digital streamers who can receive $4.99 per month per viewer and hold eSport tournaments on sites like Twitch. Publicity and investment dollars are now beginning to pour through the eSports arena.
• Media rights. According to industry figures, broadcast rights account for one-fifth of the profits received by eSports firms and teams. Mostly, broadcast rights money is paid out to festival promoters and game producers, who give away some cash to teams and competitors in the form of prize money and incentives. According to Newzoo, marketing rights amounted to $251 million of overall eSports sales of $1.1 billion in 2019.
• Merchandising and ticketing. With $103 million in sales in 2019, merchandising and ticketing are among the top eSports industry leaders. That said, merchandising typically follows the rise of a sport, as it has traditionally been on the PGA tour, the NFL and the NBA, and other prominent professional sports leagues. Expect merchandising and ticket sales to climb as gaming begins to prosper on the global level.

Merchandising firms like 100 Thieves have also converted the success of eSports into the masses-their trademark shirts are still popular around the world and are also worn by other professional athletes. That’s a sure indication of merchandising, a cash cow for organized eSports for years to come.

How Much Do Players in eSports Make?

With sponsor funds and gamer wages piling up, it’s worth mentioning the major financial winners on the eSports market-the teams. 

These players are the top earnings in the gaming sector, making millions in the process. 

It’s Johan Sundstein. Sundstein, also known as NTtail, is a very popular and competitive “Defense of the Ancients 2,” (more widely known as “Dota 2”) game player. The 26-year-old has won almost $7 million to play in 108 tournaments to date, making him king of the hill in the eSports game.

Jesse Vainikka. Often known as HerAx in the Gaming Community, the 27-year-old native of Finland won $6.47 million to play in 64 eSports tournaments. Like Sundstein, Vainikka is one of the most popular Dota 2 players in the world. 

Anathan Pham. Described simply as “ana” by the gaming fan base, Pham has raised $6 million. At 19 (Pham will turn 20 on Oct. 26) Pham is one of the youngest players on the eSports circuit. He’s now gained $3.14 million by 2019 alone.

Sebastien Debs. At $5.5 million in career earnings, “Ceb” Debs is the fourth-highest earnings on the eSports arena. Competing as both a mentor and a player, the Frenchman won the coveted International “Dota 2” event in 2018 and 2019 as a member of the OG squad. 

Topias Taavitsainen. Identified as “Topson” on eSports tout, Taavitsainen has won $5.4 million in professional gaming sales. The native of Finland started playing “Dota 2” at 8 years of age and is now considered a franchise player for Team OG, generally regarded as one of the most dominant teams in all eSports. 

In Gaming World, These Are The Other Ways To Make Money

In the eSports world, teams aren’t the only earners. Mother gamers are cashing in, they also: Other online participants 

• Broadcasting businesses. Much like every sports event for fun, announcers are expected to call it as well as color commenters. Many that are doing this will make up to $1,000 per broadcast for more. 
• The coaches and the management. Playing teams require the logistical assistance of eSport tractors. The best coaches a year could make more than $80,000 worth. 
• Journalism. Without coverage of the game which is played by gaming enthusiasts all over the world, no eSport tournaments are complete. The pay is not really good, but for those people who enjoy eSports and would like to write about it, the money will make about $35,000 a year.
• Marketers. Marketing professionals wired into the gaming community will receive an annual wage of around $90,000 in order to expertly sell eSports to the global masses. 
• Social media experts. Social networking professionals will receive over $25,000 annually in order to get people talking about eSports online. 
• Event management. Specialists in game tournaments, who set up and manage the individual competitions, will make up to $40,000 a year.

Tips and tricks to become an eSports Player

Now that the secret is out and people see that eSports players are making huge cash, is there a gaming future for you as a millionaire? 

It’s not easy, since the lack of sleep and hours of preparation it takes to become a major league player are also brought up by gamers. But if you put yourself at work and catch a break or two, those who made it to the pinnacle of the world of eSports await glory and fortune. 

Chances are, any or more of the following steps is taken by those that did so:

They preferred to be the expertise in one game

Players that have made it to the numerous eSports gaming circuits say the trick was to select a popular game that they were decent at and continue to compete and grind until all challengers were beaten. It’s easy to enjoy a range of common games against rivals around the world by subscribing to a gaming service like Xbox Live. That’s the work it takes to become a professional gamer to get a name.

Don’t be scared of losing 

When you’re practicing to become a gamer online, don’t be scared of failing. Gamers who have made it to the professional level claim they have improved a lot by failing in games such as “Call of Duty” or “Fortnite.” The best gamers gain the experience required to gradually improve their own ability by learning the best strategies and start winning more games. 

Fair Playing and Prioritize Character 

The best gamers claim that entering an online community and learning to become a member of a squad was a significant move for them. That helped them understand (and abide by) the rules, build a mindset of “us” and not “me” and become a team player – all the characteristics required to make it in the world of eSports.

Start Joining Tournaments 

Like a professional golfer who gets off the range of practice and begins to tee it up for real against his peers, joining tournaments would encourage you to test your skills against top players. If you do not play in online or local competitions, you won’t know for sure if you have what it takes to become a professional gamer. Start signing up to see with your peers where you are as a gamer.

Get Sponsorship

When you manage to smash through and win the marquee competitions, you’ll start to get heard. A good sponsor will provide the financial support and computer equipment required to play with the best at the professional level. Through networking and receiving word of mouth advice from sponsors, great players will get the support they need to get to the stage of competitive eSports. 

Source: thestreet