Prindiville argues that the future of sports will appear as an hydra with three heads of soccer, basketball, and sports like esports.
Esports is the future. We all know this from people who had to convince parents or other family members and acquaintances, as well as our parents and grandparents who aren’t so sure. But it’s more meaningful when you are told it by Michael Prindiville who is the head of the Dignitas esports organisation. His recent career path has led him away from traditional sports, and has led him to Esports. Prindiville claims that the future of sport will be a three-headed water hydra that includes basketball, soccer and Esports.
Prindiville was initially hired to lead Dignitas (which has now acquired League of Legends’ successful Clutch Gaming, among other teams) in the year 2018, having previously worked at NBC Sports Ventures, a venture capitalist firm. He was the chief of its esports sectionand had previously been a semi-pro soccer player for the San Diego Gauchos.
Prindivillein his explanation of his future in sports, stresses the unique skillsets and achievements that esports athletes must reach in order to be competitive. They are able to do this through the long hours spent practising, without being hindered by physical limitations, as well the high level professional focus required for professional competition due to the frenetic pace of esports.
He is aware that the business of esports is currently in a bubbleand a lot of esports-related companies have been founded to profit from an increasing trend that might not be sustainable (similarly like what’s taking place in the bitcoin and cannabis industries), he doesn’t consider this to be a threat to the eventual viability of the sector. In fact, he believes the companies that are consolidated will benefit and not impact the overall industry. Because esports are built upon the unique appeal of watching athletes perform at their highest level within a digital environmentthis is something that no amount political machinations can stop,
Prindiville’s biases in his future sports plan are easy to discern, as his soccer career began in the past and his current is at an esports-related business that is owned by the Philadelphia 76ers. Prindiville’s reasoning is soundthat soccer is massive and will remain as. The NBA is bigger than everbefore and has become the standard model for sports. Esports are gaining distinct appeal. It’s probably safe to saythat they are, it will take time to determine if this is true.