By Niovie Constantinou, Contributor
The eSports industry has grown rapidly over the past decade. What was once a niche hobby has evolved into a lucrative career path. Video games are no longer just designed to be played—they are crafted to entertain, captivate, and draw in massive audiences. Many eSport athletes are now seen as celebrities, especially among Millennials and Gen Z fans.
This growing fan base is clearly visible in the numbers. The 2016 League of Legends tournament at China’s iconic Bird’s Nest stadium drew 36 million viewers—five million more than that year’s NBA Finals.
As interest rises, prize pools have followed. In 2018, there were over 2,300 tournaments with a total prize pool of $106 million. The average tournament offered $46,000 in prizes. An average player earned about $7,000 from winnings alone. At the 2017 Dota 2 world championship, Team Liquid won more than $10.8 million for first place.
Salaries
Beyond prize money, players also receive salaries from their teams. These range from $1,000 to $5,000 per month. Top League of Legends players can earn up to $15,000 monthly—excluding prize money. In the Overwatch League, where each team plays 28 matches per season, the minimum salary is $12,500. Players on top-tier teams earn even more through performance bonuses and team success.
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are another major revenue stream. Around 95% of team income comes from sponsors. Big brands like Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Adidas, and Intel actively back eSports teams. Some teams, like Fnatic, have even created their own product lines. Fnatic GEAR sells official team merchandise—hugely popular among fans who want to show their support.
Streaming
Streaming has also become a vital income source. An eSport athlete with 2,000 Twitch subscribers can earn roughly $5,000 per month. Streamers monetize through ads, sponsorships, and viewer donations. One of the most successful examples is Tyler Blevins, aka Ninja. According to Forbes, he earns $500,000 monthly by streaming Fortnite, uploading YouTube content, and partnering with Red Bull. His stream reached 500,000 viewers when he played alongside rapper Drake. Fans even donated money just to see their names pop up on screen.
eSports have moved far beyond gaming subculture. Traditional sports leagues and media networks are fully invested. U.S. universities are launching varsity eSports programs. Talks are even underway to include eSports in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This cultural and economic phenomenon is only gaining momentum—and its revenue streams are likely to grow right along with it.
If you are pursuing an eSport career and wish to learn more about the available revenue generation opportunities within eSports, you may contact us at [email protected] and we will be more than happy to discuss the financial opportunities available to eSport athletes.