Could Real Madrid get into the eSports business?

Football clubs are beginning to branch out into virtual football by creating eSports teams. Could Real Madrid ever get into the eSports business?

Many Real Madrid fans use EA Sports FIFA to live out their dreams of playing professionally. But with the rise of professional eSports, now, some FIFA players could one day actual suit up for the club they love.

ESPN FC recently ran an article subtly suggesting that Real Madrid might one day be interested in creating an eSports team. The article discusses rumors about two prominent eSports players who posed in Real Madrid shirts, sparking speculation that Madrid might be interested in branching out into the digital soccer realm:

"Real Madrid do not currently have a presence in eSports, although rumours have circulated persistently. Two of the most prominent eSports players in Spain — Werlyb and Falco — left the Baskonia team in the summer and proceeded to pose for pictures on social media with Real Madrid shirts. Nothing materialised despite much bluster."

Could Real Madrid one day get into the eSports business?

ESports represent a growing marketplace for capturing young audiences, and as Andy Mitten reports for GQ, could present one avenue for football clubs to reach new demographics. Other big European clubs have started to dip their toe into the eSports pool, like Manchester City, who just signed their first ever eSports player.

I, for one, think Real have bigger fish to fry than getting an eSports team.  For starters, before branching out into the virtual arena, Madrid may want to work on actualizing those plans for a women’s football team. 

Madrid have definitely began engaging  with the eSports community, with publicity stunts like the one below featuring Carvajal test driving an eSports racing game. Even if Real Madrid don’t get into the business of creating competitive eSports teams, their close ties to the EA Sports FIFA franchise and the increasing importance of video games as a marketing strategy for professional soccer all mean Madrid will have to always think about how to market themselves to video game players.

But there’s no reason this couldn’t be a long-term goal for the club. The rise of eSports represents a new opportunity for Los Blancos to engage with fans, generate buzz about the team, and potentially enter into a new terrain of competition.

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