http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/21/esports-are-legit-sports/
Professional gaming, commonly referred to as eSports, is a rapidly booming industry thanks to online streaming sites like Twitch, and League of Legends is one of the biggest games in the business. Twitch proudly hosts every League of Legends tournament, most of which feature ESPN-style analysts, commentators and giant touchscreen game-review boards.
134 million people watch eSports worldwide and League of Legends generated around $1 billion in revenue in 2014 alone. The 2013 League of Legends championships sold out the Los Angeles Staples Center and brought in 32 million viewers. Over the past few years, China and the UK have even built dedicated arenas just for eSports.
[says] ESPN President John Skipper, eSports are "not a sport," . ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd agrees: "If I am ever forced to cover guys playing video games, I will retire,". Cowherd has also equated eSports with a gunshot wound to the face.