eSports

Odgers Berndtson: Annual income of esports top management can reach $170 000

Published

5 years ago

September 10, 2020

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Headhunters are often among the first to identify trends, thereby making them the people who come to find the best managers.

The esports market has also followed this trend. Since 2015, we have seen the formation of a new large-scale industry. Initially the clubs and teams looked like a group of niche enthusiasts without any built-up system, wishing to attract 1-2 professionals from the corporate world. Today the industry looks as a full-fledged ecosystem of the largest clubs, companies and holdings. Each of them has its own staff, corporate structure and Leadership Team. However, there is very little systematized information about the internal structure of cybersports, such as what the clubs have in common or what is the salary market like, although the transparency of an industry is one of the most important factors in its growth and development.

Odgers Berndtson has interviewed twenty top club managers around the world – from North America to Oceania, including Western Europe, Russia and the CIS countries. The results of this study will be useful for all market participants: clubs to compare themselves with competitors, investors who want to enter the esports market, professionals who want to work in the industry, and for fans who are interested in understanding what’s behind their favorite players.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Organisational structures

During interviews with representatives of esports clubs, we have identified 2 main management models (each of them can be subdivided into 2 subcategories):

The first model is a business structure with traditional key functions inside: Sales, Operations, HR, Finance, etc., which report to the CEO. These structures follow the classic organisational model from the corporate world. 81% of the clubs we surveyed have this type of organisational structure.

The remaining 19% of clubs have only two key managers – CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and COO (Chief Operating Officer), who share areas of responsibility among themselves. The most common configuration is when one manager develops such functions as Sales, Marketing and Gaming, and the another one is responsible for the back-office (accounting, finance, etc.). In 50 % of these companies the club outsources the functions of sales and marketing, and the rest have these functions (including sales and marketing) implemented internally.

Sports management

The main resource of the esports business are players, teams, and sports results. Nowadays, clubs use 2 main models of sports management. 57% of clubs have a Sports Director / Chief Gaming Officer who is responsible for team management and sports performance. In the remaining 43%, this function is linked with one of the top managers of the club (CEO / COO). The main factor in both approaches is the CEO / COO’s personal professional gaming experience.

Compensation packages

After we have gathered and systemized all data of compensation packages in the clubs, we saw a big difference in absolute values (up to 10 times). This is due to the different living standards in the regions where esports clubs are present. To present the relevant average earnings in key positions, we removed 10% of the minimum and maximum values.

Annual income:

• CEO – from $ 70,000 to $ 170,000 gross;

• COO – from $ 50,000 to $ 160,000 $ gross;

• CCO (Sales, Partnerships, Sponsorships) / CMO (Content, Marketing, PR) – from $ 50,000 to $ 150,000 gross;

• HRD / CFO / CIO / Legal Director – from $ 40,000 to $ 120,000 gross.

Compensation packages insights

Over the past 1.5-2 years, the structure of compensation packages has changed towards a form similar to other industries – a fixed part and a bonus (the amount of which depends on the KPIs fulfillment). It is important to note that about 40% of top clubs stimulate their top team with long-term incentives (LTI).

The main KPIs for top management are operational: P&L performance, growth number of subscribers on social networks and active fans, views of matches / team content, users retention, and attraction of partners.

Most of Chief Gaming Officer and the CEO have sports results reflected in KPIs. This distinguishes esports managers from colleagues who manage clubs in traditional sports, where in most cases the entire team of top managers has an additional bonus from the team’s athletic performance.

Market trends

• An esports club is no longer just a collection of players who play for themselves or their investor. It is a full-fledged business with media and commercial parts. Esports has become a valuable part of the entertainment market;

• The staff ranges from 18 to 75 people. Only 21% of the organizations we had surveyed have more than 50 employees. Esports clubs, unlike traditional sports teams, still have compact structures;

• Esports companies are becoming increasingly mature and open toward external markets. They hire people having no professional gaming experience, invite business consultants to tackle recruitment tasks, draft strategy and move the club forward;

• Proper P&L management is a short- or mid-term task for 75% of top clubs;

• Employment’s agreements with athletes have changed:

– KPIs for sports results now included

– employment contracts became long-term;

– the club’s share has increased in the prize money from tournaments.

About the study:

Odgers Berndtson is one of the largest international consulting companies with a focus on top executive search, assessment and development. Odgers Berndtson is the only executive search company with a dedicated Global Gaming Practice. The practice specialises on recruiting executive teams for the gaming and esports industries.

Full text: https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en-ru/insights/e-sports-from-the-insider

Authors: Leonid Koen, Andrey Salitov.

Asia

AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan

Published

16 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

aa-gaming-announce-the-rajasthan-state-esports-championship-(rsec)-with-youth-affairs-&-sports-department,-govt.-of-rajasthan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Rajasthan Youth Board (Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Government of Rajasthan), in collaboration with AA Gaming, has officially announced the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) – a landmark state-level initiative poised to engage thousands of players from across the state.

The RSEC 2025 will feature top esports titles including Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), CS2, E-Cricket, and E-Football. Spanning over four stages, the championship aims to reach more than 200 colleges across 41 districts in Rajasthan, making it one of the most comprehensive esports tournaments at the state level in India.

The tournament will unfold in the following stages:

Open Qualifiers
Inter-College Knockout Rounds
Semifinals
Grand Finals – which will be live-streamed and culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony.

A core highlight of the RSEC 2025 will be a series of esports workshops, organized by AA Gaming during the inter-college knockout rounds held across Rajasthan. These workshops, in

collaboration with industry experts, are designed to educate and empower participants with essential knowledge and skills, positioning Rajasthan’s youth at the forefront of the rapidly growing esports industry.

Recognized now on global platforms like the Olympic Esports Series, the Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Esports Championship, esports has become a legitimate sporting and medal discipline. With this in mind, the RSEC workshops will cover:

Gaming techniques and strategic play
Game development fundamentals
Esports career pathways
Mental health and well-being for athletes
Team-building and communication
Professional conduct in esports
In-depth game analysis and review

Speaking about the RSEC, Dr. Neeraj Kumar Pawan (I.A.S) Chairman, Rajasthan Youth Board & Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Government Of Rajasthan, said, “I extend my heartfelt best wishes for the upcoming Rajasthan State Esports Championship. As Rajasthan does not yet have an official esports federation, the Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Rajasthan has taken the initiative to support the esports ecosystem by joining hands with passionate youth, many of whom have come forward through the Youth Board. This championship marks a significant first step in promoting esports across the state, and I wholeheartedly commend the young leaders driving this movement.”

Commenting on the tournament, Akash Dhangar, Founder and CEO of AA Gaming, said:

“We are thrilled to partner with the Rajasthan Youth Board for the Rajasthan State Esports Championship — a one-of-a-kind initiative that not only empowers the youth through competitive esports, but also equips them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this fast-growing industry. Through our comprehensive workshops, we aim to provide in-depth education on the key pillars of the esports ecosystem, enabling Rajasthan’s youth to emerge as innovators and leaders in the gaming and esports space.”

These sessions aim to develop well-rounded esports professionals — from players aiming for international glory to those exploring careers in game development, casting, management, and more.

The Rajasthan State Esports Championship is a pioneering initiative by the Government of Rajasthan to integrate esports into the mainstream sporting ecosystem and harness the power of gaming to inspire, educate, and uplift the state’s youth.

With RSEC 2025, Rajasthan is set to lead by example, creating a blueprint for how regional governments can support and grow the esports ecosystem from the grassroots.

The post AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

StarLadder to Host 2025 CS2 Major in Budapest’s 20,000-Seat MVM Dome

Published

18 hours ago

May 13, 2025

George Miller

starladder-to-host-2025-cs2-major-in-budapest’s-20,000-seat-mvm-dome

Reading Time: 2 minutes

StarLadder today announced that it will host the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, culminating in a four-day Playoff stage inside the MVM Dome – one of the largest and most advanced esports venues in Europe, and one of the biggest CS2 Major venues to date.

The event will run from November 24 to December 14, featuring the world’s top 32 Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most prestigious titles in the esports world.

Kicking off on November 24, the early stages of the tournament will take place at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark, a recently upgraded venue with seating for 2,000 spectators. This modern, esports-ready venue offers fans a unique opportunity to get close to the action and experience high-level Counter-Strike in the vibrant atmosphere of an offline setting.

From December 11 to 14, the tournament moves to the MVM Dome for the playoffs. With 20,000 seats and cutting-edge production capabilities, the Dome will deliver a stadium-scale experience – featuring record-breaking LED setups, immersive lighting, and arena-wide special effects crafted to elevate the show for every fan on site. Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s iconic pre-Christmas charm, the Major will offer not just world-class esports, but also a chance for fans to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant cities during its most magical season.

“ Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Roman Romantsov, CEO of StarLadder. “Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans – both in the arena and watching around the world – will remember. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”

The post StarLadder to Host 2025 CS2 Major in Budapest’s 20,000-Seat MVM Dome appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025

Published

5 days ago

May 9, 2025

George Miller

esports-world-cup-foundation-launches-global-“road-to-ewc”-program,-unveiling-qualification-pathways-for-the-esports-world-cup-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has unveiled the full scope of the qualification system for the Esports World Cup 2025 with the launch of the global “Road to EWC” program. Featuring over 200 tournaments spanning grassroots leagues to elite international circuits, the Road to EWC offers opportunities for players at every level to compete on the world’s biggest stage, the Esports World Cup, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.

“Road to EWC is a platform for every player, Club, and community whose journey defines the spirit of competition,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer, of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “By connecting hundreds of tournaments across the world, we are creating life-changing opportunities for players at every level, bringing the world’s best talent to Riyadh. This is how we grow the sport – by growing our partnerships, investing in competitions and laying the foundation for sustainable growth across the industry.”

The Road to EWC qualification program marks a major milestone for the Esports World Cup and is a core component of EWCF’s commitment to the sustainable growth of esports, supporting the professional ecosystem and advancing the sport on a global scale. With 25 tournaments in 24 games, including four new games – Chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and VALORANT – the EWC 2025 will bring together more than 2,000 elite esports players and 200 top Clubs to compete for a prize pool of more than $70 million, the largest in esports history.

For League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends, official publisher circuits such as the LEC, VCT, OWCS, and ALGS serve as the primary route to qualification. Other games, including Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II, are holding open online qualifiers, while fighting games, including Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, and Fatal Fury are qualifying players through community-driven tournaments such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO.

In mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings, region-specific leagues across Southeast Asia, MENA, and LATAM are producing national champions who will represent their respective nations in Riyadh. Finally, for titles such as Chess, EA SPORTS FC 25, and Overwatch 2, a final wave of Last Chance Qualifiers will be staged in July, giving one last opportunity for breakout players and rising stars to earn their spot in Riyadh.

Additional information about the Road to EWC, including events and dates for specific titles, can be found at esportsworldcup.com.

As anticipation builds for the Esports World Cup, the Road to EWC also features a multi-channel marketing campaign with a calendar of original content from selected qualifier events and partner leagues around the world. Player interviews and behind-the-scenes access will bring to life the stakes, talent, dedication and human interest stories behind the competition, alongside tournament and game explainers to introduce EWC games to broader audiences and bring fans closer to the action.

The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.

The post Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.