Which Professional Athletes Are Currently Involved in Esports?

Only a short time ago, video games were associated with those who spent much of their time locked away in their bedrooms. However, nowadays, they have become a way in which people can actually forge a successful career. From streaming yourself playing video games to thousands of fans to becoming so good at a particular game you turn professional, many people are recognizing the potential of Esports. So much so that professional athletes are becoming involved in the Esports scene. Below, we will go through some of the most famous athletes who have become involved in the industry.

Michael Jordan

First up on this list is Michael Jordan, who many claim to be the greatest basketball player of all time. In 2018, he invested in aXiomatic, the parent company of Team Liquid, a popular esports team. He was not the only person from a professional sports background to invest in the company with Peter Bruce, the co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, as well as Jordan's former teammate in the Olympics, Magic Johnson, and many others. With such huge names getting involved in the industry, there may even be a push for esports Olympics to become a reality. 

Jordan and Team Liquid were a perfect match, as both seem to be finding success wherever they go. Team Liquid is considered one of the top teams in esports, showing dominance in some of the most popular games, including CS:GO, DOTA 2, and League of Legends. Michael Jordan’s investment in aXiomatic is his first venture in the esports industry. However, with a net worth of over $1.6 billion, it looks like a risk worth taking on an industry that is seeing significant growth.

Shaquille O’Neal

Up next on this list is Shaquille O’Neal, who has found even more success on the court as a businessman — an unbelievable achievement considering the level he reached as a professional basketball player. He has business ventures in everything from restaurants to car washing, fitness, and many other areas. One of his latest investments is in the esports industry, becoming a part owner and advisor of NRG Esports. Due to Shaquille O’Neal’s status in sports and how well-known he is, it will be easy for him to bring new fans to the organization and significantly increase the chance of the investment succeeding.

David Beckham

David Beckham is one of the biggest names in the history of soccer, and when it was announced that he would invest in Guild Esports, many people saw it as one of the most significant landmarks in the history of esports. Beckham’s investment in the organization alone propelled Guild Esports to become listed on the London Stock Exchange, which took place back in October 2020. Some reports have estimated that Beckham’s business venture into the esports industry over the next five years will earn him around $20 million. 

David Beckham isn’t unfamiliar with the gaming industry as he has been a prominent figure in several video games, like Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer. His investment in Guild Esports will likely allow the organization to branch out into other video games besides the most popular ones, like FIFA, Rocket League, and Valorant.

Ronaldinho

When it comes to legendary footballers, another name that frequently comes up as well as David Beckham, is Ronaldinho, who was best known for his flashing and unique playing style that helped Barcelona FC become one of the best, if not the best, football teams at one point in time. His venture into the esports industry came after he decided to become the brand ambassador for the Brazilian gaming organization SCUF Gaming. SCUF Gaming saw the opportunity to use Ronaldinho to start their own esports team and created R10 — named after the number Ronaldinho wore on the soccer pitch with his initials. Ronaldinho’s aim for the esports team is likely to grow the PES and FIFA scene in Brazil, just as futsal has seen significant growth in the country. 

Mike Tyson

The final athlete on this list to invest in the esports industry is Mike Tyson. In 2019, Mike Tyson decided to invest in Fade 2 Karma, an esports organization best known for bringing in some of the top Hearthstone players. Not only did he bring new fans to the organization, but he also helped them get their very own streaming facility to grow the brand. The impressive facility has a stage to host tournaments, live streaming rooms, and even a rooftop party area.

The Rise of Esports

So there we have it; now you know about some top professional athletes who have decided to invest in esports. As the space continues to grow, we will likely see more prominent figures get involved with the industry as more people begin to recognize the potential that the world of esports holds for successful business ventures.