Esports players have become some of the most well-paid athletes in the world, with top players earning millions of dollars each year. But how do esports players make money, and how much do they actually earn? In this article, we’ll explore the various revenue streams available to esports players, and provide some examples of player earnings in different games.
The most common source of income for esports players is their salary, which is paid by the team they play for. The size of a player’s salary can vary greatly depending on their ability, the game they compete in, the competitions their team participates in, and other factors. At the top level of esports, players can earn millions of dollars per year. For example, former League of Legends player Perkz signed a three-year, $6 million contract with Cloud9 in 2020. In China’s League of Legends Pro League, one player was reportedly earning RMB 45 million (around £5.3 million) per year.
Of course, not all players are able to command such high salaries. Some players are unsalaried and rely on other opportunities like content creation and prize money. For example, many players in the fighting game community are unsigned and must fund their own travel expenses to attend tournaments. As of 2019, the average monthly pay for pro Smash players was around $1,000-$5,000 (£802-£4,000), according to Policy Genius.
Another way that esports players make money is through prize winnings. Most esports competitions have a large prize pool set aside for teams, with the amount awarded to each team depending on their placement. Successful players can earn millions of dollars in prize money. Dota 2 player Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein, for example, has earned $7.1 million in prize money according to Esports Earnings. Dota 2’s biggest event of the year, The International, often crowdfunds its prize pool to tens of millions of dollars.
In addition to salary and prize winnings, esports players can also earn money from skin sales. Many games have an in-game marketplace where cosmetic items like character or weapon designs are sold. Publishers of these games may share revenue from skin sales with esports teams, with players often receiving the lion’s share of the revenue. For example, last year’s Champions competition in VALORANT generated $32 million in revenue from skin sales, of which participating teams received $16 million.
Esports players may also have individual brand partnerships, allowing them to sign sponsorship deals outside of their team contracts. Content creation is another revenue stream for esports players, with many players earning money from YouTube ads and brand sponsorships. Live-streaming on platforms like Twitch is also a popular way for players to earn money, with top streamers receiving cash donations from viewers.
Finally, some esports players may sell their own merchandise, usually reserved for those with significant fanbases. Popular League of Legends player Rekkles, for example, sells hoodies and t-shirts on his own website.
Esports players can earn money from a variety of sources, including salary, prize winnings, skin sales, brand partnerships, content creation, and merchandise sales. The amount of money they earn can vary greatly depending on the game they play, their skill level, and the opportunities available to them. However, it’s clear that esports has become a viable and lucrative career path for top players, with some earning millions of dollars per year.