With little media attention, the largest esport playoffs in the world are taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York. Professional teams across the world have traveled to North America to compete for a grand prize of more than $2.2 million.League of Legends (LoL), one of the largest esport in the world in terms of viewership, is a game involving two teams of five competing to take objectives until one team destroys their opponent’s nexus. At this level, winning teams are full of players with individual talent as well as strong synergy and teamwork.On a professional team, every player is paid a yearly salary, and they make money off of advertising and streaming advertisements when they play for their thousands of fans online. Lastly, tournament prize money can mean that top players make even more. Video above: Top tips for new League of Legends playersHere’s a breakdown of income streams for professional esports gamers:Team salary: This can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollarsSponsorship: Brands from Gucci and Ralph Lauren to Nike pay big dollars to have pros as the face of their product onlineStreaming: Gamers can make money streaming their matches on platforms like Twitch and Youtube. They get paid for their in-stream ads and their subscribers. Pros can have thousands of fans who pay them every month.Tournament earnings: If a team makes the top three in a tournament, then the players will split the prize pool.In 2020, the highest reported contract for a player was $4.2 million for a three-year deal involving player Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen and America-based Team Liquid. One of the world’s best players, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, has made more than $1 million in prize money alone over eight years. The average National Hockey League salary was just under $3.2 million, according to gaimday.com. In addition to cash, most American teams have all the players living in a house together, often with chefs and nutritionists. In the North American region, there are 10 professional teams that compete in the region’s largest league, the League Championship Series (LCS). Teams, akin to the English football league system, can compete with the worst teams of the LCS to move into the LCS. The teams not active in the LCS can still play players, but advertisement deals and team support like free meals might not always be there. In the past five years, esport salaries have ballooned as more money and attention have turned to the growing industry. By 2024 the esports industry is expected to boast $1.6 billion in revenue across all platforms and games, according to Newzoo. This revenue can be expected to trickle down to players as esports continues to grow.
With little media attention, the largest esport playoffs in the world are taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York. Professional teams across the world have traveled to North America to compete for a grand prize of more than $2.2 million.
League of Legends (LoL), one of the largest esport in the world in terms of viewership, is a game involving two teams of five competing to take objectives until one team destroys their opponent’s nexus. At this level, winning teams are full of players with individual talent as well as strong synergy and teamwork.
On a professional team, every player is paid a yearly salary, and they make money off of advertising and streaming advertisements when they play for their thousands of fans online. Lastly, tournament prize money can mean that top players make even more.
Video above: Top tips for new League of Legends players
Here’s a breakdown of income streams for professional esports gamers:
- Team salary: This can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars
- Sponsorship: Brands from Gucci and Ralph Lauren to Nike pay big dollars to have pros as the face of their product online
- Streaming: Gamers can make money streaming their matches on platforms like Twitch and Youtube. They get paid for their in-stream ads and their subscribers. Pros can have thousands of fans who pay them every month.
- Tournament earnings: If a team makes the top three in a tournament, then the players will split the prize pool.
In 2020, the highest reported contract for a player was $4.2 million for a three-year deal involving player Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen and America-based Team Liquid. One of the world’s best players, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, has made more than $1 million in prize money alone over eight years.
The average National Hockey League salary was just under $3.2 million, according to gaimday.com.
In addition to cash, most American teams have all the players living in a house together, often with chefs and nutritionists.
In the North American region, there are 10 professional teams that compete in the region’s largest league, the League Championship Series (LCS). Teams, akin to the English football league system, can compete with the worst teams of the LCS to move into the LCS. The teams not active in the LCS can still play players, but advertisement deals and team support like free meals might not always be there.
In the past five years, esport salaries have ballooned as more money and attention have turned to the growing industry.
By 2024 the esports industry is expected to boast $1.6 billion in revenue across all platforms and games, according to Newzoo. This revenue can be expected to trickle down to players as esports continues to grow.
