INDIANAPOLIS — In just the last year, electronic sports was projected to bring in over $1 billion globally.
Butler University recently opened its own esports park, and now the university is looking to bring more money and opportunity to the Circle City.
The university is now partnering with Sports Tech HQ, a local nonprofit that's working to get new talent to Indy through the esports park.
The park opened in October and allows people to compete at high levels in video games.
Leaders said this new partnership will help put Indy on the map for gaming and bring in more revenue.
"Butler University can be a center point to be able to host and work with the city to recruit companies to come to Indianapolis and create jobs of the future," said Eric Kammeyer, Butler's director of esports gaming and technology.
Jeffrey Hintz, with Sports Tech HQ, said Indianapolis is a prime location with a long history of sports, which made it a great location to invest in.
"The projected growth through 2030 is aggressive, and we think Indiana is well-positioned to be a part of that conversation and attract companies to our state because of our partners," Hintz said. "We're talking to companies now that are looking at Indiana to move their operation or to open up a North America operation. That is job creation, and really, that is what Sports Tech HQ is all about, is job creation for the state of Indiana, but narrowing it down to that sports tech sector."
The esports park opened up six months ago, and the plan now is to get into after-school programming for high school students this fall. Butler will also be hosting the Big East ESports Championships next month, which will bring in gaming teams from nine universities.