League of Legends Recognized by U.S. as Legitimate Sport

[StewShearerOld]

League of Legends Recognized by U.S. as Legitimate Sport

Professional League of Legends players can now seek visas to find work with teams based in the United States.

The United States government, generally more an expert in <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121576-Congressman-Seeks-New-Game-Rating-Legislation>blaming videogames for the world's problems, has actually just done the medium a bit of a solid. With eSports growing in popularity and prominence around the world, the U.S. State Department has now recognized the League of Legends Championship Series as being a professional sport. Far from being symbolic, the legal recognition makes it possible for players living outside of American soil to obtain work visas to come and play for teams in the United States.

"This is a watershed moment," said Dustin Beck, vice president of eSports at Riot games. "It validates eSports as a sport. Now we have the same designation as the NBA or NHL or other professional sports leagues. This opens the gates for other professional League of Legends players to make the transfer to U.S. teams. It's like David Beckham coming to LA Galaxy." Riot Games was behind the request that led to the new status. "It was a long process. We had to get endorsements from participants and prove that this is a consistent, viable career path and people can make a living playing games."

The legal recognition has already been of help to some players. Danny "Shiphtur" Le, recently joined Team Coast and, because of the upgraded status, is now eligible to move from his home in Canada to the United States to work with his teammates. While it's clearly nice to see the government being helpful in this situation, its cooperation comes with an undeniable growth in interested viewers. "Our viewership numbers are stronger than 80 or 90 percent of the sports covered on ESPN. In Shanghai [All-Star event in May, 2013] we had 18 million unique viewers. We are seeing growth over growth for every subsequent event that we do."

Source: <a href=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/12/4518936/competitive-gaming-recognized-in-u-s-as-a-pro-sport>Polygon




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[The Wykydtron]

Well considering exactly how huge the consistent viewing numbers are for every tournament, it's not that surprising they went and did something official for it.

When you say "the US" recognises League as a sport, which part of the government or what have you actually makes the decision? Is there like a Ministry of Sports or something? Just curious.

 

[StewShearerOld]

Well considering exactly how huge the consistent viewing numbers are for every tournament, it's not that surprising they went and did something official for it.

When you say "the US" recognises League as a sport, which part of the government or what have you actually makes the decision? Is there like a Ministry of Sports or something? Just curious.

That would be the State Dept. That's actually something I should have put in the article. Let me pop that in there.

 

[KoudelkaMorgan]

As someone that has never, nor will ever, play LoL I gotta say this is queer news indeed. On the one hand cool for esports, on the other I'm a little ashamed of my government. Not for the first time.

 

[shirkbot]

I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, cool for eSports. Nice to see them getting some recognition. On the other, the community surrounding a lot of eSports doesn't have a particularly sterling reputation. I suppose they're still better than football hooligans. At least I've never heard of eSport fans smashing things up when their team loses. Or wins.

 

[Sir Shockwave]

And not too far from now, the US goes South Korea on LoL.

Those crazy yanks.

 

[Frankster]

So asia get starcraft, usa get league of legends.

We europeans really need to get with the program, what online game can we choose to make OUR national e sport?

 

[LordMonty]

Money plain and simple, no love for games or sports just for money. But hey its the USA no judgements heart of capitalism and all, sure this idea will spread to the EU soon enough along with starcraft from Asia.

 

[Chessrook44]

Well LoL already has scandals and the like for its various players, so I suppose this was going to happen eventually. How long until we find out an expert LoL player has been taking performance-enhancing drugs?

 

[Best of the 3]

So asia get starcraft, usa get league of legends.

We europeans really need to get with the program, what online game can we choose to make OUR national e sport?

Most asian countries beat the Western teams at LoL as well anyway

OT: I guess this is good? I still don't consider video games a "sport" to be honest but that's my opinion.

 

[Me55enger]

So asia get starcraft, usa get league of legends.

We europeans really need to get with the program, what online game can we choose to make OUR national e sport?

Cricket.

I don't like e-sports. I don't like the trend it has taken and the sports it has looked to for both format and inspiration. I don't like the people it attracts to both participate and watch. I don't like what it does to communities and I don't like what it does and will do to games.

BUT.

Games need recognition within the wider culture. It needs to be appreciated as a legitimate media format by the right people. This is a step in the right direction. I just hope they don't cock it up royally.

Also: Cricket.

 

[Frostbite3789]

Call me an amateur athlete then.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

Could never get into that game, the whole thing where every player I came across runs away if I managed to hit them first with something was lame. No one seems to stay and fight and use their skills etc to try beat the opponent, in at least the dozen or so games I tried.

 

[Legion]

We europeans really need to get with the program, what online game can we choose to make OUR national e sport?

Fifa, just to screw with people.

The first official eSport based around a game that is an actual sport.

 

[Akisa]

Meh until Dota 2 becomes an official sport.

 

[NightHawk21]

As someone that has never, nor will ever, play LoL I gotta say this is queer news indeed. On the one hand cool for esports, on the other I'm a little ashamed of my government. Not for the first time.

Why are you ashamed of the government? I'm no fan of the US government, nor of the people behind LoL, but I can recognize that both of them (whether intentionally or not) just did the entire eSports community a solid.

Meh until Dota 2 becomes an official sport.

It'll probably be soon. This sets a nice precedent and it should be easier for other games to get registered now.

 

[The White Hunter]

So asia get starcraft, usa get league of legends.

We europeans really need to get with the program, what online game can we choose to make OUR national e sport?

I vote Bad Company 2. Then I can be good at a sport.

Or Smash Bros.

Or Bomberman.

Edit: How long until we have a game based around this new sport?

 

[Kennetic]

Umm, I don't consider video games a sport anymore than chess. They want to make a sport out of the worst game community of all time? Oh well, it'll be funny to see I guess. Plus, USA players aren't as good as asian ones but I hardly see how that's a bad thing lol

 

[Easton Dark]

great. now when a doctor says to a very fat kid he should eat more vegetables and do more sports, the kid will start to eat pizza and play lol.


only in america....

Oh man, I forgot pizza was classified as a vegetable.

This is the best way to get healthy ever.