A lot of analysts, media personalities, and major networks have flocked to esports during the pandemic, knowing that esports fill a need for live games. What the general public didn’t realize was that esports has been here all along and that Ohio is quickly becoming the epicenter for the entire gaming community.
The University of Akron Esports Director Nate Meeker has built a robust esports program that has grown to be among the nation’s elite. Meeker was ahead of the curve and now his program is years ahead of many other colleges and universities.
“Internally at Akron and worldwide we have seen explosive growth in esports and gaming in the past 10 years and even more in the past five. Around the U.S. we went from having zero high schools and a handful of colleges that participated in esports related activities just five years ago, to more than a thousand colleges and many times that number of high schools today.”
While some have associated the pandemic with the growth of esports, Meeker sees it differently.
“Ultimately I don’t think the growth, or spotlight has much to do with the pandemic,” Meeker said. “It has given more publicity to esports in the past few months, but I think that was something that has been building now for the past few years. Major networks have just been waiting for a way to capture the audience and make money on gaming, some of which they have figured out and some they still are working on. We have been seeing esports on major networks now for the past five years, but seeing more coverage is always nice and helps to grow the scene at all different levels.”
When asked if the public and mainstream media now accept gaming as a serious venture, Meeker had mixed feelings.
“I think that gaming and esports are becoming more accepted as the competitive activity they are and have been as they become more widely known and watched, however, the venture part of the question is still up in the air,” Meeker said. “The game developers are the primary beneficiary of publicity and attention around a certain game or event and don’t leave much in the way for networks, smaller organizers or outsiders to get involved. Careers centering around esports certainly are becoming more mainstream though as you now see more jobs being advertised in that sector than with traditional sports.”
Meeker remains bullish on the future of esports and sees a lot of bright spots for the future.
“I see the future going the route of more standardization across games, teams, and events,” Meeker said. “Currently it really is the wild west when it comes to how things are operated. There are a variety of different organizations trying to get the market share to provide that stability. My guess is that one of them will capture it in a few years.”
While Meeker is leading the way for America’s colleges and universities, Arica Kress is leading the way at the next level as Head of Strategic Partnerships for the Columbus-based Esports Engine. Kress, who spent over 14 years with the Columbus Crew, is an experienced sports executive who has been involved with some of the biggest brands in the beautiful game.
“My first involvement in esports was three years ago when I was VP of Marketing and Communications for the Crew in Major League Soccer,” Kress said. “At that time, the League launched eMLS, which is the competitive FIFA league MLS has created to expand the MLS and team brands to new soccer fans.”
It should come as no surprise that eMLS was a massive success and continues to thrive today. That success is certainly tied to the passion and expertise of Kress. Getting to build a program from the ground up was a special experience.
“It was very exciting to start up the esports program for a professional sports team,” Kress said. “It provided a new avenue for us to connect with soccer fans and grow our brand.”
The rise of eMLS is attributed to the fact that soccer fans became engaged with the greater gaming community and vice versa, creating new fans and opening up an entirely new demographic. The move was great for all involved.
“In my opinion, it was very important for MLS teams to get involved with eMLS specifically to help continue to grow the game in the U.S. and North America,” Kress said. “FIFA is a great avenue to give people exposure to soccer, learn the game, and interact with teams and players directly. The fanbase for FIFA will help MLS clubs grow in their local markets. I see FIFA as an important driver of soccer fandom in our country.”
Kress has enjoyed making the transition to working full-time in esports.
“There were a couple of main reasons,” Kress said. “The biggest reason was working in esports reminded me so much of when I started working in MLS fifteen years ago. It is a vibrant, young, growing sport with very passionate and dedicated fans. After being fortunate to be a part of the significant growth during my time in MLS, it was exciting for me to make the next step in my career to an industry that provided me an opportunity to be a part of the same. Another reason I was excited to join the team at Esports Engine is because the team here are leading the industry and the best at what they create for their clients. For me to be able to work with this team is a great opportunity and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Kress is also optimistic about the future of esports.
“I believe you will continue to see a significant growth in esports. It has been a consistent steady growth over the years and with the current pandemic there has been a drastic increase in viewership and engagement. Sponsors have been able to capitalize on a very affluent, young, dedicated demographic that has discretionary income which will provide the industry with the funding to support this growth. You will start to see esports become more mainstream throughout culture with the influence of gamers and streamers. Technology is only going to continue to improve the games and experiences for all gamers and will create new and exciting experiences for all involved.”
Much of the Crew’s success can also be tied to the success of esports competitor Graham Ellix, one of the top FIFA players in the world.
Ellix has seen the highs and lows of esports, having played professionally since 2008.
“It was a bit of a roller coaster,” Ellix said. “2008 was pretty crazy for how big I believe it was back then. The prize pools weren’t as big, but it was still pretty big. Then it seems to have taken a dip, especially for FIFA, between 2013 to 2016. It seemed to slow down. 2017 helped it rise and now you have big leagues like the MLS on FOX Sports with players teaming up to play each other. It is pretty cool.”
Ellix is happy with the progress he has seen inside and outside of the esports community.
“The rise has been crazy,” Ellix said. “I think games like Fortnite took it to new heights in the last couple years, showing millions can be made. And parents look at it a little bit differently.”
The Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom native has seen many changes in the esports community.
“If you go back to when I was in Boston, nobody really knew what was needed,” Ellix said. “Some people wanted to go for personalities, didn’t necessarily have the ability to compete with the pros, if you will, but they became pros because they had a big following. There was that and then we have now it seems to be that we have pros because you know, we’re good and clubs are looking for the top players. When you take Atlanta United for example, they went to Brazil to get their player. They have a Brazilian representing and he travels over to the USA to play in the eMLS because that’s his living. You didn’t see that a few years ago. You saw personalities from YouTube who wanted to make a little extra cash. Now you see teams when they go out and get their name out on the spotlight because we get tens of thousands of people watching at one time.”
Ellix has seen some differences when it comes to esports in the U.S. and the UK.
“In England, it was the same person over and over again, like we’re going to play the top player to the point where you’d actually go to the tournament, you guys would know each other, like you read a book 200 times,” Ellix said. “Over here it’s not such a tight niche as far as that goes, everyone wants to win. But I think that might be where we’re lacking as far as becoming the best nation in the world for FIFA. If you look at it, you know, Europe seems to be pretty dominating. We have some top-notch, top-level players, but I think we could get tighter than that and make it more competitive.”
It doesn’t get any more competitive than the Hell is Real Derby with the Crew facing off against FC Cincinnati twice a year. That intensity has carried over to the virtual pitch as well. One of the biggest matchups in eMLS is Ellix versus FC Cincinnati’s Gordon “Fiddle” Thornsberry.
“I played a big part in Fiddle getting to where he is now,” Ellix said. “There is a lot of smack talk between him and I. To be able to represent Columbus and have that rivalry with a good friend is great.”
But Ellix isn’t the only esports standout from central Ohio. Lee Cork, who is based in Lancaster, is a player/coach with the Ozark FC esports team in the eNPSL. While Ellix goes it alone in the 1v1 model of eMLS, Cork is leading the way in the 11v11 game.
“On top of being a fantastic center back in the game, I also manage the game days and training sessions plus streaming on the Ozark FC YouTube channel,” Cork said. “It’s my responsibility to install the togetherness and brotherhood feel that the official Ozark FC club installs in its own players and staff. It’s more than a soccer team. I have daily contact with the club’s owner, Todd Carrigan, to talk formations, morale, and how to help our guys improve. Todd has a real passion for this esports venture by the NPSL. He has brought a unique and positive view over our club. I’m really enjoying working with him to build the club into somewhere players aspire to be a part of.”
Cork is a trendsetter when it comes to 11v11. He, like many others, has come to love the team concept behind FIFA Pro Clubs.
“It’s the closest thing you can get to real soccer,” Cork said. “Some players are more creative on the ball, some read the game better, just like the real thing. 11 v11 offers the chance for players to stick to what they know best and work with others to achieve results. People who have played in real life can use the experience they have gained to influence games and coach your teammates to be more effective. Soccer is a team sport and it’s more enjoyable with friends. The eNPSL has created a fantastic buzz amongst the FIFA community. It’s great to see so many new clubs formed and lots of players mixing in new circles.”
Cork should know about “the real thing,” having played soccer for 25 years in the UK for the likes of Norwich City Academy, Dereham Town FC, and Jubilee Rangers. Here in the U.S. he has given back to the game, coaching soccer in his community to help grow the sport.
“Grassroots soccer is where the dreams start,” Cork said. “I want to help these kids have the ability and desire to make the dream a reality.”
With Nate Meeker, Arica Kress, Graham Ellix, and Lee Cork leading the way, Ohio has risen to the top of the esports game. And the future is even brighter as the quartet continues to push for even higher heights.
