One of the issues with esports is that, so far, it has been treated as a gamers’ activity instead of a business. That particular view, slowly but surely, has started to change. Meet Angela Bernhard Thomas, EVP of Collegiate Sports Management Group and EsportsU, and Founder at A-Game Esports. 

A lifelong admirer of art and raised by her mother, a brilliant painter, Angela imbues artistry into every project she becomes part of. 

In this episode, we delve into Angela’s journey from entrepreneurship to gaming and apply her unique perspective to collegiate esports. We also talk about her work with EsportsU and how it can impact the future of collegiate esports, the relationship between brands and viewership, why brands are more likely to spend more on advertising than on activations, and much more.

This podcast is Powered by Cognizin: Visit cognizin.com to learn more and find a product to help fuel your day. Visit: www.cognizin.com 

Resources:

Visit the EsportsU Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/esportsu?lang=es.

Visit the Collegiate Sports Management Group website: https://collegiatesmg.com/.

Or connect with Angela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelabernhardthomas/.

Full Episode Breakdown:

3:38 – Angela talks about her journey in entrepreneurship and how it got steered into gaming and esports.

8:37 – Angela talks about her experiences at Microsoft esports. 

11:29 – We take a look at EsportsU, the first 24/7 Twitch channel created to unite the collegiate esports community through original content, events, and conferences.

15:16 – The Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup. When and how it started, and how it impacted the collegiate esports space.

19:12 – We discuss health and wellness in collegiate esports.

26:44 – Angela describes her approach to the relationship between Alumni and esports.

27:58 – Why does it looks like brands are more willing to spend more money on advertising than on activations.

34:28 – Esports and gaming are about community. Why do so many brands seem to have a hard time getting this?

38:14 – Angela explains why esports and collegiate esports still have years of hand-holding and modeling to brands on what they can expect.

43:34 – Gary and Angela talk about the unrealistic expectations of gaming and esports created by the massive media coverage and the attention the space gets.