Virtual(ly) Athletes: Where eSports Fit Within the Definition of “Sport”

The “New” Student-Athlete: An Exploratory Examination of Scholarship eSports Players

“…While the physical skill required for eSports may be less obvious than in traditional sports, Jonasson and Thiborg (2010) argued that, "eSports will definitely fill a void in the sports family; no sport requires such a diversified coordination of the fingers as eSport(s)" (p. 290). The necessity of fine motor skills to excel in eSports is similar to the fine motor sports needed to excel in more traditional sports (e.g., angling a tennis racket to hit a ball or altering the wrist motion on a basketball shot attempt) (Jenny et al, 2016). However, it is acknowledged that while more traditional sports necessitate the use of fine motor skills, there are usually gross motor movements (e.g., running, jumping, etc.)…”

“…Accordingly, "the debate whether competitive video gaming (i.e., eSports) can be considered sport dates back to at least 1999, when the Online Gamers Association was launched by EuroGamer at the Sports Academy in London" (Jenny et al, 2016, p. 4). Jenny et al (2016) examined that very issue by developing their own definition of eSports and then compared that definition to previous definitions of sport. Acknowledging the array of terms used to describe eSports (e.g., electronic sports, cybersports, gaming, competitive computer gaming, virtual sports), eSports was defined as "organized video game competitions" (Jenny et al, 2016, p. 4).…”

“…It is argued that eSports clearly meets five of the characteristics (includes play, is organized, includes competition, comprises skill, and has a broad following). The central debatable characteristics of eSports qualifying as a true sport are whether it includes physical skills and whether it has achieved institutional stability (Jenny et al, 2016).…”

“…However, it is acknowledged that while more traditional sports necessitate the use of fine motor skills, there are usually gross motor movements (e.g., running, jumping, etc.) required as well (Jenny et al, 2016). eSports athletes may conduct 400 movements per minute using the keyboard and mouse, they produce cortisol during competition at similar levels as a racecar driver, and have pulse rates similar to competitive marathon runners (Schütz, 2016).…”

The Future Is Now: Esports Policy Considerations and Potential Litigation

“…74 The authors noted that Robert Morris University, in Illinois, recognizes esports as a varsity sport, and it has begun awarding scholarships to esports participants. 75 According to an esports manager, the Department of Homeland Security will issue visas to esports players in the same class as those issued to other professional athletes.…”