Can Hong Kong elevate and seize upon the billion-dollar esports industry?

Sean Hung, Managing Partner at HZL Capital, Alex Norman, Counsel (Sport, Media and Tech) of Bird & Bird, Loron Orris, Founding Partner at Asia Sports Tech, and Sean Zhang, CEO & Co-founder of Talon Esports, share their opinions in this panel discussion moderated by Josh Ye, Tech Reporter from South China Morning Post from the China Conference: Hong Kong.

100 million Hong Kong dollars have been allocated by the Hong Kong Government to foster the development of the esports sector. Sean Zhang, CEO and co-founder of Talon Esports, notes since their start in 2018, they have seen an incredible growth in interest, brand partners and sponsorships, and development in general. They are “trying to build an ecosystem that [they] can develop a community around,” Zhang says.

“You see a real development of businesses around the business of esports,” Loron Orris remarks regarding the growing industry in Hong Kong. The public perception of esports is improving, and the idea of making a career in the esports industry is becoming more and more accepted. Much of this growing recognition may be due to the pandemic, as Zhang postulates the extra time at home and reduction in the ability to enjoy traditional sports contributed to the “acceleration and acceptance of esports,” since people were looking for alternative forms of entertainment.

As the economy reopens and the opportunity to engage with traditional sports grows, it may seem logical there would be a regression in the esports market, but according to Sean Hung, this is likely not the case. In fact, Orris suggested that “[we] may see a broadening of the different services offered,” by traditional sports platforms in response to the esports industry.