KC Sports Commission establishes new coalition around esports industry in Kansas City
A grassroots esports organization has begun in Kansas City.
As part of the Kansas City Sports Commission, the Kansas City Esports Coalition (KCEC) will aim to “use gaming for good,” according to a news release sent out by the sports commission Wednesday afternoon.
Esports are multiplayer video games conducted in front of spectators, most often by professional gamers. The KCEC is designed to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, educators and professional video game players around the esports industry, according to the release. The idea is to cultivate ideas and relationships across the esports community in the Kansas City area, according to the release.
Kansas City is already home to the National Association of Collegiate Esports, or NACE, an umbrella organization for post-secondary competitive esports programs across the country based inside the offices of the NAIA. A growing number of colleges and universities in KC, Wichita and beyond field competitive esports teams and/or offer esports as a concentration of study, and more pro sports teams, such as Sporting KC of MLS, have fielded their own teams as well.
“Esports is on track to become a dominant sector within the sports industry and an integral part of the KC sports ecosystem,” said Marvin Mastin, KCEC advisory council member and brand activation manager at Populous, in the news release. “We are excited to be a part of this innovative and forward-thinking group.”
Professional gaming has turned into a multi-million-dollar industry around the world, with revenues eclipsing $200 million this year in the U.S. alone, per the KCEC release.
“Kansas City is home to so many talented individuals and organizations that are making a real impact on the fast growing world of gaming and esports,” said Kathy Nelson, president & CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission. “It made sense for us to help wrangle that talent and organize around it — particularly as we work to attract and create esports events.”