The Rise of Mainstream eSports

(Originally aired July 12, 2018) Guest: A.J. Dimick, Director of eSports, University of Utah NBA basketball legend Michael Jordan joined a team of investors this week that put $26 million into a pro sports organization called "Team Liquid." But this team doesn't play basketball. It plays Esports, as in, computer games.  Professional Esports is now a huge worldwide viewing fanbase: last year’s League of Legends tournament broadcast drew 300 million viewers. Universities have e-Sports teams too, complete with athletic scholarships for top players. Last year, the University of Utah was the first Power 5 school to offer a varsity eSports team. A.J. Dimick heads up the e-Sports program at the University of Utah. We spoke with him this past summer.