NJEDA, 淫性视频 Form Esports Innovation Center
Atlantic City N.J. 鈥 The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and 淫性视频 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today enabling the NJEDA to provide $200,000 in funding plus staff resources to 淫性视频 for its esports initiative, which includes 淫性视频鈥檚 establishment of an Esports Innovation Center at the university鈥檚 Atlantic City campus. The Center is expected to help to advance the goal of establishing Atlantic City as a hub for the rapidly growing esports industry.
鈥淓sports presents a rare chance to cultivate an entirely new industry that will create good paying, skilled jobs, along with an opportunity to build industry leadership,鈥 said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver. 鈥淲ith a renowned higher education partner like 淫性视频, and our unparalleled pool of technology talent I am confident that New Jersey is well-equipped to support the rapidly-growing esports industry and the economic potential it can offer our residents and small businesses.鈥
The esports industry has swiftly grown in popularity in the United States, with total revenues in North America projected to reach $250 million this year and a viewing audience of 57 million people. By 2025, the industry is expected to reach $9 billion globally.
The esports industry can help diversify New Jersey鈥檚 tourism and entertainment sector and be a source of new high-quality, high-wage jobs, such as software engineers, product developers, and content provision/event production roles. The industry is large and rapidly growing, with total esports employment in the US nearly doubling from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020.
鈥淐reating new innovation-focused spaces and centers of knowledge where industry stakeholders can collaborate and gain expertise is an important element of catalyzing the State鈥檚 innovation economy,鈥 said NJEDA Chief Economic Growth Officer Brian Sabina. 鈥淭he NJEDA is proud to support this important project, and we look forward to working with Dr. Kesselman and the team at 淫性视频 to build New Jersey鈥檚 leadership in this emerging and exciting industry.鈥
Thanks to New Jersey鈥檚 strong technology infrastructure and innovation ecosystem, the esports industry has already taken root in the state, and the Esports Innovation Center will build on that momentum to establish New Jersey, and Atlantic City, as the epicenter of esports growth. This Center will also be a huge step forward in creating the most diverse innovation ecosystem in the country and will help to close the racial and gender wage and employment gaps.
鈥淭he new Esports Innovation Center will work with 淫性视频 and industry partners to position Atlantic City and New Jersey as esports leaders and help shape the future of the esports landscape,鈥 said 淫性视频 President Dr. Harvey Kesselman. 鈥淓sports industry partners will have the ability to become members of the Esports Innovation Center and join in the center鈥檚 research, events, and activities.鈥
Among other activities, the Center will focus on catalyzing collaborative technology innovation, supporting workforce development within the esports industry, positioning New Jersey and Atlantic City as an esports leader through events and thought leadership, identifying and promoting best practices for regulating wagering on esports and ensuring integrity in competitions, and promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as healthy gaming practices, as essential components of esports culture.
The Esports Innovation Center will also work with the Division of Gaming Enforcement and independent bodies that govern integrity in competitions to position New Jersey as a national leader in regulation and integrity practices for esports and will promote diversity and inclusion, as well as healthy gaming practices, in the esports industry.
Supporting the Esports Innovation Center is part of Governor Murphy鈥檚 commitment to building a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy that creates opportunities for all New Jersey residents, and NJEDA鈥檚 wider strategic effort to grow New Jersey鈥檚 innovation, sports wagering, and fintech ecosystems. In addition to the MOU with 淫性视频, the NJEDA concurrently approved a separate agreement with New Jersey City University (NJCU) to support the Sports Wagering and Financial Technology Workforce Development and Innovation Center at NJCU. This Center will provide an incubator for the sports wagering and fintech industries and act as a connector between industry, academia, and relevant State agencies to grow and support innovation in sports wagering technology and fintech.
More information about the Esports Innovation Center and 淫性视频鈥檚 other esports programs is available at .