Esports as a global genre of digital sports is growing more popular each year, and with that growth comes greater opportunities for athletes. But just how lucrative is it to be a professional esports athlete?
In this blog post, we will look at the salaries of some of the top earners, as well as sponsorship deals and prize money. We will also discuss some of the challenges that esports athletes face.
How much can an esports athlete earn as a salary?
Naturally, there will be plenty of interest regarding how much a professional esports player can earn, as many will have had the dream of being able to play video games competitively for a living and be paid to do so.
It is perhaps unsurprising that they can earn decent base payments, as there is a lot of money involved in professional sports.
Indeed, those who have continued to wager regularly on the BetFury betting site may have noticed that there are a few names that appear regularly when placing wagers on the latest esports tournament. These individuals are most likely to be earning the big bucks, with it rumored that it is possible to earn around $4,000 – $5,000/month or $50,000 – $60,000 a year according to some estimates!
Of course, this is just an estimate, and it would not be a surprise if other esports athletes were able to command a greater salary given the talents that they possess. However, while this figure is only a base fee, it is important to remember money can also be earned in a variety of different other ways.
Tournament wins and sponsorships really help to boost income
When thinking about the money that can be earned within this industry, many will immediately recognize that the biggest sums of money to earn come from winning some of the biggest tournaments regularly played.
While much of the prize pot will go to the team that the player represents, the athlete will typically receive a percentage of that pot for their efforts as a bonus. Those who participate in esports betting may know how big some of the tournaments that take place can be, with some of them offering prizes that are in the tens of millions for the winners.
Sponsorship deals – much like in traditional sports – can also provide a top up regarding the amount of money that can be obtained by players, with brands from around the world paying significant sums to have their company name and logo shown to the millions who continue to tune in and watch the action take place.
Lastly, it is also possible for athletes to generate income by streaming, too. Gamers can earn money via various forms of donations or even through sponsorship deals by streaming practice sessions while broadcasting it live on platforms including Twitch.
Final Thoughts
As we can see, there is no denying that a career as an esports professional athlete can be an incredibly lucrative career, although it can largely depend on how successful and talented the individual is.
