‘Revenge of the gamers’ – eSports hits big time, with or without Olympics

This picture taken on March 24, 2018 in Hangzhou shows LGD's team (centre L) ahead of a LGD's match in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). Tucked away in a nondescript furniture mall, LGD Gaming's multimillion-dollar eSports home venue may not bring to mind Old Trafford or Yankee Stadium, but it could represent the future of sport. / AFP PHOTO / Johannes EISELE / TO GO WITH: ESPORT-CHINA-LIFESTYLE-GAME; Focus by Albee Zhang & Dan Martin

MACAU: eSports’ bid to reach the Olympics may be on hold but backing from big sponsors and a relentless march into the mainstream raise the question of whether it needs the Games at all. 

With sportswear giant Nike last month announcing its sponsorship of China’s Legends Pro League, videogaming already bears the hallmarks of any successful sport.