Dignitas CEO Thinks Esportssoccer, and Basketball are The Future
Prindiville believes that the future of sport will look like a three-headed hydra of basketball, soccer, and the esports.
Esports are the new thing. All of us who have tried to convince our parents, colleaguesand acquaintances of the immense growth and size of esports understand this. It means more in the case of Michael Prindiville (CEO of Dignitas)who has transitioned from traditional sports to Esports. Specifically, Prindiville argues that the future of sports will come in the form of a three-headed water hydra of soccer, basketball, and esports.
Prindiville was initially hired to head Dignitas (which is now the owner of League of Legends’ successful Clutch Gaming, among other teams) in the year 2018. He had worked for NBC Sports Ventures, a venture capital firm. He led the esports departmentbefore that, however prior to this, he was a semipro soccer player for the San Diego Gauchos.
In outlining his sports world futureplans, Prindiville emphasizes the distinct capabilities and the level of success that esports athletes need to develop and reach in order to be able to competeamong the hours spent practicing, unhindered by physical limitations in the exact same way as traditional sports and the intense concentration required to compete professionally, due to the fact that full attention span is required at any given moment during a match due to the speed and intensity of Esports.
However, he admits that the esports market is in a state of bubblethat has seen more businesses in the esports sector that were created as a result of a growing trend than could be sustainable (similar to what’s happening in the popular bitcoin and cannabis industries), he doesn’t see it as a reason to hinder the long-term viability of the esports business. He believes that these businesses will be consolidated without affecting the entire market. Esports are dependent on theunique attraction of watching professional athletes compete in virtual spaces. This is somethingthat none of the business politics could prevent.
It’s easy to spot Prindiville’s preference for his future sports plans, as his soccer background is a factor and his present is at an esports business owned by the Philadelphia 76ers. Prindiville’s argument seems to work: soccer is and has always been extremely popular internationally. The NBA is more powerful than ever, and is quickly becoming the model for sports of the future; and esports provide a unique appeal. It’s a safe bet, but only time will tell if this is the case.