If you’ve ever been a sports parent, you know all that goes into it: the driving to and from practices and games, keeping your calendar straight, making sure your kids are wearing the right jersey to the right game, and more. For managers and coaches—many of whom are also sports parents—there’s an even bigger layer of moving parts. Finding the practice fields and times, keeping the team informed of the same, ensuring paperwork and fees are paid, and getting everyone registered, carded, and good-to-go come season time are all part of the equation. That’s not even mentioning your full-time job and other duties. It’s enough to make you toy with throwing up your hands and walking away.
Long known for sports special events, in recent years Las Vegas has experienced a massive evolution into a year-round, major sports destination. The shift has been fast and profound, thanks to a winning combination of new professional sports teams and venues, plus new and returning marquee special events.
After navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many sports executives were hoping for a return to normalcy in 2021. Despite the significant hurdles and concerns –
including empty or limited attendance, shortened seasons, canceled games and sick athletes – the year did in fact witness the return of sports and fans’ attention to their favorite teams.
Conducted by Foley & Lardner LLP, Sports Business Journal and The Esports Observer, the 2022 Esports Survey finds that nearly 9 out of 10 esports professionals expect esports investment and deal activity to increase in the first six months of 2022.
Authenticity shines through in business. Consumers connect with products that feel genuine and messages that ring true, and it is evident when a company’s culture is embedded in its industry.
Many destinations trying to figure out their role and position in hosting major esports tournaments take a transactional approach, but the smarter ones invest in a partnership approach.