I wouldn't go to an event in the classical idea of what a sports event is. I have a small history in pro gaming yet still concede the incentives need to be different for eSports events - just showing the players and a big screen tv isn't ever going to fly, there needs to be a lot more going on.

I've gone to Smash Bros events, largely because you can play with other players (often pros as well) and the whole thing feels like an epic convention.

The consideration still is that sports are accessible for pretty much anyone due to their simplicity, while eSports are accessible only to those who have decent familiarity with the game. It comes down to recognizing and appreciating feats of skill, and when you don't get what's going on, you miss it entirely.

It's easy for those who don't follow say American football to get wasted and root when the guy carrying the ball runs into the end zone. Harder to ask someone who doesn't play League of Legends to cheer when a team achieves an economy advantage through a good call on a rotation.

The tectonic shift has yet to come as games remain too inaccessible for a mass audience. Obviously this will help pro players mitigate career risk, but I don't see financial incentive for schools to support it nor think much will change until a lot more innovation happens.