Jason Siegel doesn't have to look beyond his own house to find fans excited about competitive video gaming and esports.
"If I went home and said, 'We're going to a Fortnite festival,' it would the most exciting Christmas gift we could give to our two boys," Siegel said of his 8- and 10-year-old sons. "It's been impressive to watch."
The enthusiasm that surrounds a virtual world that includes monthly Fortnite tournaments _ some with as many as hundreds of thousands of online viewers _ has created a buzz that some in Central Florida say could soon create an economic windfall for the region.
The interest has Siegel, CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, looking at competitive gaming in the same light as major sports leagues and events.
"We are in an interesting time where an entirely new category of entertainment has been created," he said. "We are seeing it grow from the ground up."
Siegel has been part of a task force in Orlando put together to examine how the region can leverage its entertainment and game-development strengths to become a leader in esports. The group includes representatives of the city's major sports teams, schools and city leaders.
A recent study shared by the research compiler Statista showed that esports will generate $906 million in revenue from sponsorships and advertising this year. By 2021, that number is expected to be $1.65 billion.
In Central Florida, major organizations and businesses, including the Orlando Magic, Electronic Arts and Full Sail University, have recently invested in esports, which include fantasy and sports video game competitions.
EA runs its esports business around the popular Madden football video game, much of which is produced in its Maitland offices.
"Esports is the natural evolution for any competitive video game," said Matt Marcou, the competitive gaming commissioner for EA Sports' Madden NFL competitions. "People are wired to be social and competitive, which is why sports are so influential and have grown into multibillion-dollar businesses. People are now channeling that same passion with their technology."
The Orlando Magic of the NBA and Orlando City Soccer Club have competitive gaming teams that participate in leaguewide tournaments for their respective sports.
Full Sail, meanwhile, will open an arena devoted to its esports team, the Armada, in the spring.
But attracting financial backing for esports in Orlando remains in its early stages.
Right now, supporters are trying to convince traditional investors and stakeholders that it can be lucrative, said Josh Mora, Full Sail University's executive director for strategic partnerships.
"Our leadership has not been afraid to say, 'We don't know, but we want to learn,'" Mora said. "We can either aggressively pursue these events or we can make Orlando an incredible epicenter for gaming so when groups think about where they want to hold events, they think Orlando."
Nineteen of Major League Soccer's 23 teams, including Orlando City, signed an esports player to represent them at a tournament in April. Club officials did not say how much money the players made.
Meanwhile, 21 NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, participated in an April draft to fill six-player rosters with competitive gamers who would represent the team in an NBA2K league. Each player earned at least $32,000 a year with first-round picks earning a $5,000 bonus.
Orlando regularly hosts conventions and events, making it a prime location for esports, said Ed Cahill, who oversees Orlando City's competitive gaming program.
"It's a huge opportunity for the city of Orlando because the industry is so young and it's growing," Cahill said. "There are so many events out there looking for consistent homes. In terms of 'heads in beds' for the city, it can be very beneficial."
However, Cahill also said a traditionally high-impact industry like conventions can also mean expectations for new business can be higher.
"In a growing industry, where maybe the money is not there initially, it'll take a citywide effort but it will pay off in the long run," he said. "We may have to take a few lumps early on, though."
When the Orlando Magic drafts its team in February for its second esports season, it will do so with a new coach.
In another illustration of how seriously the parent club is taking its Magic Gaming team, they hired Jonah Edwards away from the Dallas Mavericks' esports team.
"Esports as a whole is insane right now," Edwards said. "The boom is definitely here. I was almost skeptical at first before I did this myself."
Central Florida has a chance to get in early on what could become a big industry, Mora said.
"This is a great opportunity for Orlando," he said. "Esports is already healthy, and we believe it's going to be beyond robust. Most who have an interest in esports feel the same way."
