The global esports market is currently valued at more than $560 million, and that number is expected to climb exponentially in the coming years. According to Fortune Business Insights, the industry is expected to be worth more than $2 billion by 2032. As a result, new career opportunities, such as esports management, are popping up in this industry.
What Does an Esports Manager Do?
An esports manager oversees the development of esports teams, ultimately working to help their teams succeed in competitions and achieve their goals. Below are some of the job responsibilities of an esports manager:
Team Coordination
Esports managers often work to attract and retain the most talented esports professionals in the industry to create a dynamic and successful team.
Talent Development
Once the recruitment process is complete and a team is assembled, esports managers work to develop their players' talent and ensure that they have access to the training tools, resources, and experiences that they need to grow their skills.
Event Planning
Esports managers may be responsible for planning and executing esports competitions and tournaments. This may involve securing a location, organizing teams to participate in the event, and coordinating the logistics for the event itself.
Marketing and Promotion
In many ways, esports managers are also brand managers. They need to utilize the leading marketing strategies and promotional techniques to generate buzz about their team, recruit the best players, and develop a loyal fan base.
Sponsorship and Revenue
Generally speaking, esports managers are responsible for their team's business activities. That means they must work to secure sponsorship opportunities that generate revenue for the team. They also have to strategically craft promotional campaigns that generate revenue through merchandise and ticket sales.
Compliance and Ethics
As the gaming industry gains prominence, the compliance guidelines and ethical principles that anchor it are evolving. Esports managers must remain aware of compliance and ethical issues and ensure that their team follows all guidelines and principles when recruiting players and participating in competitions.
Essential Skills for Esports Managers
Esports managers need to have a passion for competitive gaming. Still, they also need to develop industry-specific skills, business acumen, and core competencies to succeed in this evolving field. These are some of the most critical skills for esports managers:
Industry Knowledge
First and foremost, esports managers must have an in-depth understanding of the gaming and esports industry as a whole. The esports landscape is rapidly evolving, thanks largely to increased accessibility, more participation among gamers, and increased interest among viewers. Esports managers have to have a pulse on the industry and craft effective strategies to position their teams for success.
Project Management
Project management skills are transferable in nearly every industry but are particularly valuable in esports. Esports managers must be able to effectively budget for their teams, set goals, create timelines, and allocate resources accordingly.
Communication and Leadership
Esports managers are in a leadership position and are often responsible for guiding and mentoring team members. Effective communication is necessary to succeed in this pivotal position.
Marketing and Branding
To develop a strong brand identity and create a loyal fan following, esports managers must be familiar with the leading marketing principles and branding strategies.
Financial Management
Esports managers are often responsible for managing the team's finances, which requires expert budgeting skills. They need to increase revenue and manage financial resources efficiently so teams can attend large-scale events and invest in new equipment as needed.
How to Become an Esports Manager
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an esports manager, these are the steps you should take:
1. Gain Foundational Education
A formal education is not necessarily a prerequisite for becoming an esports manager, but it can provide you with a significant advantage during your job search. By pursuing a degree in esports management, you can develop an advanced understanding of the esports industry and focus on the niche skills required for this position.
2. Get Involved in the Esports Community
Joining an esports team will allow you to explore your love of gaming while perfecting advanced gaming skills. In addition, getting involved in the esports community will give you the perspective you need to effectively manage a team.
3. Build Business and Management Skills
As you focus on your education and gain experience in the industry, you will want to improve your business acumen. The most critical business acumen skills include market orientation, strategic thinking, and financial acumen.
4. Stay Updated With Industry Trends
Rapidly advancing technology continues to change the landscape of esports, requiring aspiring esports managers to stay abreast of the latest industry trends. You can monitor emerging trends that may impact the esports industry through ongoing education and professional development.
5. Network With Industry Professionals
Throughout your education, you should actively work to network with esports industry professionals to uncover new industry opportunities.
Career Pathways in Esports Management
The competitive gaming field is growing rapidly, and these are just a few of the career pathways in esports management that you might consider:
Esports Manager
An esports manager works directly for an esports team, coordinating the team and managing their business affairs. Esports managers have an opportunity to have a direct impact on the overall success of an esports team.
Esports Operations Specialist
An esports operations specialist oversees day-to-day operations. They typically work for a larger team with a sizable staff. The scope of their role may be similar to that of an esports manager.
League Operations Manager
A league operations manager is responsible for overseeing the development of an entire esports league. Within their role, league operations managers work to acquire teams and plan competitive events.
Brand Manager for Gaming Partnerships
Brand managers are marketing specialists who work with esports teams to secure gaming partnerships that can improve brand recognition and generate revenue.
Sponsorship Coordinator
Sponsorship coordinators focus specifically on securing sponsors for an esports team or for an esports league event. They aim to develop attractive sponsorship opportunities that are mutually beneficial for the esports organization and the sponsor.
Career Outlook for Esports Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) maintains that employment in the entertainment and sports industries is expected to grow faster than average over the course of the next decade. As the esports industry continues to expand in scope and gain prominence worldwide, it's expected that there will be more opportunities for esports managers.
Why Choose Champlain College Online for Esports Management
As the global esports industry continues to grow exponentially, there will be significant demand for skilled and qualified esports managers. At Champlain College Online, we offer an online Bachelor's Degree in Esports Management that allows you to develop an advanced understanding of the evolving esports landscape and perfect the analytical skills required to improve team performance. By providing you with a living laboratory to explore the esports industry, you will enjoy an immersive, hands-on experience at CCO while you earn your esports management degree.
Request more information about this innovative degree program today.
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