The announcement by Riot Games to broadcast the revamped uLoL Campus Series was met with a fair amount of criticism on social media. Both fans and professionals alike expressed a number of concerns- most notably that the broadcast would be pulling much needed resources away from the Challenger scene. The move comes at a time when both the LCS and Challenger series has seen major venture capital investments, accentuating the need for a more sustainable farm-league system.

As the financial climate for investors continues to unravel, the opportunity for young players to pursue a professional career is becoming a realistic aspiration. Players that persevered in the pit of uncertainty that was the challenger scene are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel; a shot at making their esports dream into a decent paying career. Players like Goldenglue and DontMashMe have found their place in the sun- however long that may be. These players are the beneficiaries of a rising demand for NA residents within their region.

As more money pours into the scene, salaries will continue to increase. One argument that has sprung up relates to the fact that college-educated Americans- such as nurses or teachers- can make less than players on the Challenger squad, Team Ember. This argument seems petty when you consider the massive salaries top players in traditional sports make, such as the Seattle Mariners’ Robinson Cano- who will make an average of $24,000,000 a year until 2023. Americans seem fine watching baseball players make 362 times the average nurse, yet esports players are receiving flack as they gamble their futures for a year of decent pay.

University of British Columbia are the defending NACC Champs - Riot Games

Aside from the obvious monetary deviation- the biggest difference between prospective athletes and gamers is the momentous risk. Most competitive gamers understand the imaginary clock that accompanies a career in esports. If a player isn’t lucky enough to amass a huge following, they are left in the dust- forced to pursue an overdue college education as their former colleagues bask in the freedoms of adult life. Perhaps they’re lucky enough to get a shot as a coach or an analyst, but there aren’t enough jobs for everyone and those jobs are rarely stable.

The risk in professional gaming surely stems from the sizeable time commitment. A player must put his familiy, studies and college aspirations behind if they want to enter the cutthroat challenger arena. The fact that a pro career is viewed as an experience, rather than a longterm career is another major gripe I have with the current challenger system. Talents such as L1nk and CaliTrlolz have left the esports world behind, unable to truly reap the benefits of their hard work throughout the years.. Many aspiring Challengers opted to sideline the professional circuit entirely- as evidenced by the dominating performance by the University of British Columbia in the North American Collegiate Championship. By dominating RMU-a team with players that have since gone pro- UBC proved themselves to be worthy of professional offers. The team has since stuck together, as it appears their education seems to be more valuable.

As the current Challenger Series ecosystem fails to guarantee a safety net, perhaps it’s time to give Collegiate E-Sports the attention it deserves. Although RMU was defeated in the NACC finals, the players were given a shot at an education AND competition. RMU tried to replicate the NCAA model in traditional sports, and schools around the country are starting to take note, according to the program’s director. RMU also received endemic sponsorships and tons of media attention. These reasons alone should be strong motivators to prospective schools. If big-name schools such as Stanford and MIT develop League scholarship programs, we are giving opportunities to an entirely different breed of talent; a student athlete that might have been too concerned throwing his education away to join the Challenger scene.

RMU made headlines with their varsity esports teams - Chicago Magazine

Collegiate esports not only provides a safe environment for top-level prospects, it also would draw in dedicated supporters that attend competing schools. Esports has struggled to develop committed fans that exist in traditional sports, and collegiate esports is the perfect way to attract this kind of a fanbase.

Parents around the country would recognize the benefits of a League of Legends scholarship, perhaps making the decision simple for prospective students. If major universities match the infrastructure of RMU, we could see a much more stable environment for young players. This would help foster an understanding of esports which could assist its growth into American culture.

Most major sports require their players to spend some time in college. NBA has restrictions so that players spend at least one season with a college, and the NFL requires all players be out of high school by three years. These rules are in place for a number of reasons, however the importance of college are emphasized in these major sports. Baseball and Hockey are different, as both keep players matured through massive farm systems that pay most prospects liveable wages.

By pumping resources into collegiate League of Legends, Riot Games is helping to foster the growth of collegiate esports. As universities see the positive attention this broadcast will provide, they could likely start their own varsity esports programs to compete. As more schools pledge resources towards collegiate esports, both endemic and non-endemic sponsors will flock to new advertising opportunities. This is good for the players AND for esports in general. (It’s also is great advertising for Riot’s game.)

Although esports are still far from the mainstream, bringing attention to talented competitors will always help bring attention to the scene. It’s no coincidence that Turner is hosting their own esports league on TBS; almost everyone wants to be apart of the growth of esports. Riot Games is in a position of power, and they seem to have the right idea by emphasizing the importance of a college education.

Most prospective gamers will fall short, yet the fear of failure keeps talented players out of the action. Sure many players would not be good enough for LCS, but people the tools to prove their worth on a National stage is what sports is all about.

Let's be clear- having professional casters like Zirene on a collegiate broadcast after LCS probably isn’t the only step towards a healthy environment for players, rather, this must be a combined effort between players, Riot and universities alike. With efforts like this, the future for esports looks brighter by the day.

Feel free to follow the author for more at @ESHSmitty.  Interested in Collegiate League of Legends? Check out my RMU Collegiate Preview!