The inclusion of American Football in the world of competitive video gaming is a rather new concept. Although virtual Madden NFL competitions have been in existence since the mid-2000s, the Madden Championship Series has really taken hold in the last couple of years. The most recent Ultimate Madden Bowl event carried a prize purse of $1 million, with the eventual winner, Henry, taking home a cool $250,000 payout.
With eSports moving closer to mainstream popular culture, it’s no surprise that the biggest names in real-world sport have taken a keen interest. Five major European soccer clubs have invested in their own professional eSports teams, which they hope will not only enhance the calibre of eSports events but act as a marketing tool to the next generation of soccer fans.
The attraction of eSports investments has also reached the gridiron industry, with many of the leading names in NFL throwing their immense weight (and wealth) behind what is now a global billion-dollar sector. Below, we analyze the NFL athletes most heavily involved in the world of eSports today.
Steve Young: The brains and money behind Team Solo Mid
Steve Young is a proud entrant into the NFL Hall of Fame, and a richly deserved one too. As a three-time Super Bowl champion, Young’s legacy is etched in NFL folklore. Since his retirement from the world of gridiron, the former quarterback has jumped into the eSports industry with both feet. In 2017, Young was one of multiple investors in the North American eSports organization, Team Solo Mid. Having originally been founded as a professional League of Legends team, it has since diversified into other eSports titles, namely Valorant and R6: Siege.
Michael Strahan and Marshawn Lynch: Proud investors in NRG Esports
New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks stars Michael Strahan and Marshawn Lynch have both invested significant sums in NRG Esports. In 2017, this multi-game eSports team underwent a Series B funding round, during which Strahan and Lynch contributed to the $15 million raised. NRG Esports are now a serious eSports outfit. They have professional eSports teams across multiple gaming disciplines, namely Overwatch, Valorant, and Rocket League. NRG Esports shot to prominence with the success of their Overwatch team, which competes in the Overwatch League managed by game publisher Activision Blizzard. NRG were back-to-back winners of the League in seasons two and three. Overwatch is a game that continually evolves and never rests on its laurels, shown by the recent unveiling of new in-game hero Baptiste.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Boasts his own eSports team
The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been a mainstay in their roster for the last four seasons. Away from the field and the locker room, the 27-year-old has amazingly found the time to create his very own eSports organization. His team Trench Made Gaming was established in conjunction with Subnation back in early 2021. Valdes-Scantling is still looking to add to his roster of eSports gamers, with a Call of Duty: Warzone Invitational scheduled for later this year to be used as a trial for newcomers to stake a claim for a place in the team. Valdes-Scantling is also using Trench Made Gaming as a lifestyle brand to release limited edition clothing and merchandise.
Rodger Saffold: Co-owner of Rise Nation
Veteran NFL guard Rodger Saffold is one of the powerhouses of the gridiron industry. Even 11 years into a career in the NFL, Saffold continued to show signs of improvement, securing a place in the 2021 Pro Bowl. During his eight-year spell with the Rams, Saffold socialized outside of the sport with long-time friend Kahreem Horsley, who eventually became his business partner in the world of eSports. Having been avid Gears of War fans in their younger years, Horsley eventually played Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare competitively while Saffold lit up the NFL. In 2014, the friends formed a dedicated Call of Duty eSports franchise, Rise Nation. In the last seven years, the team has expanded into various eSports disciplines, including FIFA, Valorant, and their long-time favorite title, Gears of War.
According to eMarketer, the US alone will soon attract 29.6 million monthly viewers of eSports competitions and content. It’s great to see NFL stars invest their multi-million-dollar contracts into a market that overlaps in so many ways, not least through the appeal of competition.
(Header SOURCE: Photo)
Robert Griffith is a content and essay writer. He is collaborating with local magazines and newspapers. Robert is interested in topics such as marketing and history.
