Rocket League is NBC’s test drive for esports

NBCUniversal is already making a big push into mobile games, and now it’s launching its first esports tournament for the soccer-played-with-cars game Rocket League in partnership with the esports community platform FaceIt.

NBC Sports Group will broadcast the tournament across all eight of its regional networks — such as Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet New York — as well as in Europe and Telemundo Deportes, NBC’s Spanish-language sports channel. It’s a move that’s likely trying to capitalize on the popularity of esports, as well as capture a group of viewers who have self-reported that they’re more interested in esports than traditional sports. According to market analyst NewZoo, the esports industry is projected to reach $696 million this year, with 41.3 percent year-on-year growth.