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The Edifice Complex Has Come for Esports
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | Anthony Hennen

Posted on 06/28/2021 6:15:42 AM PDT by karpov

Collegiate esports—competitive video gaming—has grown dramatically in recent years. Small private colleges and large state universities alike have built programs to attract students, grow name recognition, and pull in sponsorships.

However, the expensive esports arenas in which students compete, and the annual budget commitments that come with new programs, have only attracted sponsors in a few places. Aside from a handful of standout programs, most esports programs have had little success in bringing revenue to their colleges. While esports is cheaper to get into than football or basketball, it may still be another financial weight.

A Martin Center review of public records shows that esports programs are high-cost amenities with questionable rewards.

When colleges announce these programs, they sell them as low-cost and high-reward. Many colleges brag about how esports will attract sponsors and students. Esports are seen as a recruiting tool, especially for small colleges that aren’t widely known. Though hundreds of colleges now have esports teams, new programs still claim to be innovative. Esports may attract a few students who would otherwise not enroll, but it requires a big investment. Building an esports arena isn’t cheap.

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: college; esports

1 posted on 06/28/2021 6:15:42 AM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

eSports is designed for decentralization. Why it is they fill arenas with people watching gamers sit on a stage is just absurd to me. I love watching gamers on Twitch, but I wouldn’t crush into stadium to watch it.


2 posted on 06/28/2021 6:19:32 AM PDT by rarestia (Repeal the 17th Amendment and ratify Article the First to give the power back to the people!)
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To: karpov
I go for a lot of walks in the neighborhoods surrounding my home and even on perfect summer days, the yards and parks are totally empty of children.

I know a lot of children live here because during the school year, the neighborhoods are flooded with yellow school buses (and the parents often drive the kids to the end of the driveway to wait for them).

The only people I ever see during these walks are dog walkers and the occasional Dad mowing the lawn.

The children are all INSIDE playing video games.

This just can't be healthy.

3 posted on 06/28/2021 6:26:06 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (Give me a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer)
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To: SamAdams76

The only people I ever see during these walks are dog walkers and the occasional Dad mowing the lawn.

The children are all INSIDE playing video games.

****************

Dad is mowing the lawn WHILE the kids are inside playing video games. The precious kiddies are too privileged and spoiled to do any work around the house.

A couple of weeks ago I actually saw a young boy pushing a mower in the front yard. I was shocked at this inhumane cruelty. /sarc


4 posted on 06/28/2021 6:32:53 AM PDT by Starboard
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To: SamAdams76

To go to the park, you have to have a parent or other adult with you.

That is why parks are empty, they are not safe.

It is also why we bought a nice swing set.

If you kid is wandering around alone, you can also be charged with neglect.

Big question you have to ask is, why was it safe to live outside in the 60-80s, and why is it not safe today


5 posted on 06/28/2021 6:38:35 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: rarestia

>Why it is they fill arenas with people watching gamers sit on a stage is just absurd to me.

No $$$ for a horde of middlemen without venues, tickets, concessions, brand-labelling, marketing. To the entertainment ‘business’ that’s the whole game — the event itself is just a necessary evil to get into your wallet.


6 posted on 06/28/2021 6:52:15 AM PDT by No.6
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To: SamAdams76

Well ours are in back yard.

Because a pedo was arrested about 100 yards from our house cruising along with a rape/kidnap kid.

Too many predators.


7 posted on 06/28/2021 7:02:41 AM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
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To: karpov

As if any college anywhere should do anything to encourage their students to spend more time on video games.


8 posted on 06/28/2021 7:10:29 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: redgolum

The biggy was mass deinstitutionalization, but various free-the-criminal initiatives haven’t helped.


9 posted on 06/28/2021 7:11:36 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: karpov

What a giant waste of time. Seriously, like twerking, I just don’t get it.

Yeah,yeah,some fighter pilots may have some benefit from video games. But the other 99% are idiots, imo. The whole thing is idiotic.


10 posted on 06/28/2021 7:28:20 AM PDT by Basket_of_Deplorables (Convention Of States is our only hope now! Desantis 2024!!!)
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To: Jewbacca

Well I just don’t think it’s healthy for kids to not go out in play (away from their backyards).

There were pedophiles when I was growing up too but I had the run of the neighborhood from the time I was about 7 or 8.


11 posted on 06/28/2021 8:20:38 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (Give me a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer)
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To: SamAdams76

The problem is there are less kids out running free and more pedophile freak shows. So the odds are bad.

In Israel, my kids run free.

USA, not so much.


12 posted on 06/28/2021 8:31:18 AM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
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To: karpov

>>Building an esports arena isn’t cheap.

Hogwash. Go on Twitch and stream the competition.

Virtual gathering.


13 posted on 06/28/2021 1:49:55 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Lean on Joe Biden to follow Donald Trump's example and donate his annual salary to charity.)
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To: rarestia

>>Why it is they fill arenas with people watching gamers sit on a stage is just absurd to me.

Sell food and drinks concessions.

Charge for the viewing.

Madness of crowds.

Contractor bids.

FOMO


14 posted on 06/28/2021 1:51:00 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Lean on Joe Biden to follow Donald Trump's example and donate his annual salary to charity.)
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To: redgolum

>>Big question you have to ask is, why was it safe to live outside in the 60-80s, and why is it not safe today

Ask Dr. Spock where he messed up


15 posted on 06/28/2021 1:52:19 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Lean on Joe Biden to follow Donald Trump's example and donate his annual salary to charity.)
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To: a fool in paradise

Part of the reason.
Part of it is we imported a criminal class.

Part of it is we refused to deal with our own criminals.

In short, public violence against women and children is tolerated.


16 posted on 06/29/2021 5:50:12 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: Jewbacca

As an old farm kid,
Hogs will eat anything. In minutes. Down to the teeth.

Just saying.


17 posted on 06/29/2021 5:51:19 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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