The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) esports report examines what the main drivers are behind Summer Olympic International Sports Federations decisions to adopt an esports strategy and makes recommendations for the successful implementation of these. The findings of the report are based on qualitative and quantitative research with all 33 ASOIF members.
The headline findings of the research are:
- The majority of Summer Olympic International Sports Federations are currently evaluating the esports opportunity and are at an early stage
- A major driver of any progress will be the perceived commercial opportunity
- Summer Olympic International Sports Federations expect to see a ‘transfer effect’ from any esports activity to their core sports programmes
- Summer Olympic International Sports Federations anticipate esports involvement will help them:
- Enlarge their fan base
- Increase the reach and influence of their sport
- Attract younger participants
- Better engage the existing fan base
- The main reason for not engaging in esports is the belief their sport doesn’t translate well to a digital version
- Despite these expectations, without hard data, Summer Olympic International Sports Federations think it too early to understand whether these predictions are realistic
- Clear objectives, sufficient budget, finding the right partner to deliver and establishing the best approach are seen as key to any esports success
- Summer Olympic International Sports Federations are keen to establish the ‘e’ version of their sport and create or establish virtual rules of the esports version and embedding these within their existing regulations
- The integrity of the ‘e’ versions are something Summer Olympic International Sports Federations will pay close attention to
- Summer Olympic International Sports Federations expect any esports strategy will require a lot of investment and is best served by partnering with a games publisher (to share this cost, their expertise and the risk) over the long term
Some interesting Summer Olympic International Sports Federations esports report statistics include:
- 73% understand that gaming and esports are different things
- 38% have licenced or developed a game in the past 20% see FIFA as successful in esports engagement
- 73% are currently working on, or plan to launch an esports project
- 32% believe they have established the right to organise or sanction esports competitions of their sport
- 16% have a specific set of rules and regulations for an esports version of their sport
- 50% are spending up to USD $50k on annual esports projects, with 30% spending USD £50-200k
- 47% believe their current esports activity delivers them revenue
Having provided advisory services to World Rugby, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Badminton World Federation and the Premier League, Strive Sponsorship is well-placed to provide advice as a gaming and esports agency. If you need help, feel free to contact us for gaming and esports strategy, sponsorship, commercial, content, operations, investment and communications consultancy services.
