Competitive video gaming, commonly referred to as esports, graduated from an amateur pastime into a multi-billion-dollar industry in just over a decade. With professional gamers and esports live streams becoming as popular, if not more so, as professional athletes and televised sporting events, the growth of the esports industry show no signs of slowing down.
This massive growth has also led to the creation of hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs beyond just professional gamers and coaching staff. High schools and universities will need to start esports programs to help students navigate the many emerging career paths within the burgeoning esports job market.
What Is an Esports Program?
An esports program is functionally similar to traditional athletics programs found at educational institutions. It only substitutes competitive video gaming for competitive sports. The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), one of the leading nonprofit esports organizations in the US, describes varsity esports as “the principal teams representing a college or university. Primarily these teams compete against similar teams at peer educational institutions”. The same principle applies to high schools esports as well.
In fact, esports programs and clubs provide many benefits, not only to students but schools, as well.
Funding for Esports Programs: Where Does the Money Go?
Like traditional athletics programs, high schools and universities require funding to operate esports programs and to successfully support their esports teams. Your esports program will need a healthy budget in order to run. You’ll need to properly outfit and operate a practice facility with the latest gaming computers, peripherals, live streaming equipment, ergonomic gaming chairs, etc. These budgets will also need to account for the salaries of the esports program’s coaching, programming, and support staff.
How to Secure Funding for Your School’s Esports Program
There are various sources from which to secure funding for your educational institution’s esports program. Getting your institution’s stakeholders (administrators, educators, and parents) to allocate the necessary funding for your program is certainly a good start. However, plenty of additional funding sources exist to help offset the capital and operating expenditures of your esports program.
These include but are not limited to esports fundraising, grants, endowments, sponsorships, as well as merchandising, advertising, and other means of monetization. They’re not dissimilar to other sources that have traditionally funded sports or arts programs. If your esports program is still young, remember that more of these opportunities will present themselves as your esports program matures and your team finds competitive success.
Seek Local Support
Fundraisers are a good way to spread the word about your esports program while simultaneously garnering financial support from your local community. Bake-sales, car washes, and raffles are just some of the tried-and-true fundraising methods that your esports team can take part in to raise money for your esports program.
Are there any local businesses that you can reach out to in regards to supporting your high school or university’s esports program? In all likelihood, there may already be some local companies that are already sponsoring existing scholastic sports teams and arts programs. It’s very likely that some of the owners or decision-makers from these businesses are either alumnus of your school, are parents to children currently attending or have graduated from your school or have some other connection to your school’s student body in general. Regardless, they may be amenable to lending your esports program financial support as well.
Apply for Financial Assistance
Your municipality or local government may have funds or grants available dedicated to supporting local activities such as your school’s esports program. Seek them out and apply for any that your program may qualify for. If your esports program belongs to an educational institution servicing a low-income area, is classified as Title 1, and/or if at least 25% of your school’s students are part of a free and reduced-cost lunch program, nonprofits such as the Varsity Esports Foundation can help set up grants and provide financial assistance through equipment discounts.
Funding Through Monetization
As your esports program matures and your team develops a fan base, various monetization avenues will become available. Your esports team will likely develop a loyal fan base if it’s skilled enough to compete professionally at local, national, or even international esports tournaments. This can translate to significant financial rewards through branded merchandise sales, revenue from live streaming or a YouTube channel, and even lucrative sponsorship deals with corporate partners (such as computer and gaming peripheral manufacturers, energy drinks companies, etc.).
Depending on your team’s popularity and skill level, it may even become eligible for a share of the broadcast rights. Depending on your team’s popularity, the revenue generated through these avenues can potentially become sustainable ways to help fund your program.
