As colleges and universities wrestle with the question of how to integrate esports programs into their athletic programs, one question looms large: "When will the NCAA step in?" Indeed, for stakeholders across the collegiate esports landscape, from conference commissioners and athletic directors to game developers and esports athletes themselves, the potential entry of the NCAA into the esports space is a watershed moment, the implications of which are bound to reverberate across the industry.
The NCAA's hesitance thus far, despite expressing interest in the emerging market, has sparked important questions and prompted deeper introspection into the unique set of challenges that esports present. From grappling with the traditional NCAA amateur rules to exploring the intricacies of gender equality and Title IX, these complexities cannot be ignored. Within these inquiries we arrive at the crux of the matter: Should the NCAA embrace esports or not?
Understanding the NCAA’s Esports Conundrum
One of the major hurdles inhibiting the NCAA’s involvement with esports is the unique nature of esports itself. Unlike traditional college sports, esports athletes can compete directly with professionals (and often do). This is a significant departure from the NCAA’s standard player conduct rules, designed around the concept of amateur sports. This factor alone could potentially complicate the incorporation of esports into the NCAA’s regulatory framework.
Yet, another challenge pertains to gender equality. Title IX requires that colleges maintain an equal balance of opportunities for men and women in sports. While it is estimated that 45 percent of U.S. gamers are female, their representation in organized leagues and sponsored competitions is considerably lower. The gaming community has been criticized for the toxic barriers that discourage female participation, leaving women underrepresented in esports. Prominent esports leagues generally lack female representation in roles such as coaches, managers, or individual owners.
The nature of the games is also a source of concern. NCAA President Mark Emmert has expressed his disdain for games that portray violence or are misogynistic in nature. Esports, though diverse in genre and game type, does house games where objectives can be violent or offensive. However, this viewpoint tends to oversimplify the complexity and variety within the esports landscape. Not all esports games are violent or derogatory; many emphasize strategy, teamwork, or creative problem-solving, traits that align with the NCAA's values.
The NCAA’s Entry into Esports: A Potential Game-changer
Despite these barriers, the benefits of NCAA involvement are evident. The esports industry's dynamism, coupled with the increasing popularity of gaming among students, makes this an opportune moment for the NCAA to step into this arena. If navigated wisely, their involvement could not only pave the way for exciting and inclusive athletic programs but also propel college esports into a new era of growth and development.
As Kurt Melcher, Global Partnerships Director for Intersport, and the founder of Robert Morris University's Esports program opines, the NCAA's potential involvement could significantly enhance the esports landscape. Melcher, who has worked directly with the NCAA on this subject, believes that the NCAA could offer much-needed structure and direction to the field, especially in terms of facilitating educational processes and promoting gender equity.
"The potential involvement of the NCAA in the collegiate esports landscape could provide value, particularly in the capacity of facilitating educational processes for member institutions, and formalizing a system that aids in the sharing of best practices, onboarding procedures, and the promotion of gender equity. This would ideally result in the creation of structured systems designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders. Currently, in my opinion and despite the remarkable expansion and adoption of esports programs by institutions ranging from community colleges to NAIA and all divisions of NCAA member institutions, the landscape remains relatively fragmented and lacking a clear, unified direction."
Navigating a Future Without NCAA’s Involvement
On the flip side, what if the NCAA chooses not to embrace esports? Interestingly, this decision might also have its own set of advantages. It could allow esports to evolve naturally without the imposition of traditional sports structures and regulations. It would mean continuing in the more decentralized way that esports has so far functioned, potentially fostering greater innovation and creativity within the space. It could also mean that esports remains more open to professional participation and offers more paths to professional gaming for talented college athletes.
I believe this to be a pretty optimistic case. If the NCAA chooses not to step in, the collegiate esports landscape will likely continue its current trajectory; programs would remain somewhat fragmented, with individual institutions grappling with these challenges in isolation. The potential for rapid, industry-wide growth and development could be compromised and the lack of a unifying body could perpetuate existing issues and slow down progress. Perhaps most of all, the absence of the NCAA could lead to a missed opportunity to bring a marginalized sport into the mainstream collegiate athletic fold.
Making the Case for the NCAA's Embrace of Esports
By recognizing esports, the NCAA would not only legitimize it but also help build a robust framework that could address the current challenges. They could provide guidelines for fair competition and help combat toxicity within the gaming community, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all gamers.
To those within the NCAA deliberating whether to embrace esports or not, I would say this: Embracing esports is not just about adapting to current trends; it is about investing in the future. As educators and administrators, we have a responsibility to recognize and nurture the diverse interests and talents of our students.
In a world where technology is increasingly embedded in our lives, esports represents a unique convergence of passion, skill, and future-oriented career prospects. Indeed, the evolution of esports is akin to the rise of many traditional sports in their nascent stages. Skepticism was common then, as it is now with esports. Yet, history has shown that with the right support and guidance, sports can become a transformative element of the collegiate experience, and there is no reason esports can't follow that path.