“Esports has become another way to connect with fans, and INIT ESPORT is happy to provide this tool for the AMA and its disciplines,” explains INIT ESPORTS President Stefy Bau. “Riding and racing can be expensive, especially for a newbie, but esports can provide that first taste with a lower barrier to entry. The younger demographic is already playing video games, and now with motorcycle esports championships, anyone from across the globe can become an AMA eSports National Champion.”
Bau, 3X women’s MX GP champ in the real world, adds that virtual esports expands exposure to two-wheel competition, for both new and existing riders. “The intention is to create a path to turn gamers into consumers of the sport and allow riders to have fun when they are not on their motorcycles by participating in or watching esports events,” claims Bau. “This agreement with the AMA is a first of its kind and will be a model for other sports to follow. In a digital world, sports can really expand on diversity and inclusion.”
The AMA-sanctioned esports calendar will include two-wheel video game competitions of varying size and scope, culminating in an annual national championship that will award AMA National No. 1 plates to class champions as early as 2021. The AMA and INIT ESPORTS will announce schedule and registration information as it becomes available.
“Esports events require a technical infrastructure, rules packages and competitor engagement that make them as distinctive as any traditional racing discipline, and as such, area expertise is necessary,” adds AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter. “INIT ESPORTS is the right partner to bring that expertise and provide our participating members with the fair, structured and inclusive events that they expect. With this agreement, the AMA is proud to acknowledge esports as its own classification of competition and sanction it accordingly.”
Click here to gain admission to the virtual world: https://www.initesports.com/