The DeanBeat: How esports is growing for real and the brands are diving in

Esports has been branded as a bunch of hype. But brands seem to have no choice but to dive in as they seek out the elusive millennial audiences who aren’t using traditional media.

All year, I’ve been covering esports startups raising a lot of money, for everything from global teams to data analytics. Esports teams are building out diversified businesses, spreading across different games, regions, and related businesses such as merchandise. Real estate companies are investing in esports venues in Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. YouTube, Twitch, are Mixer are making stars out of influencers like Ninja, DrLupo, and many others who are building the spectator audience of game and esports streaming.