I'm standing in the EVO Grand Finals Arena at the Las Vegas West Hall Convention Center. I take a look at the giant screens where the players' faces are put on the screen and behind me the thousands of people watching the event. They're reacting in real time with oohs and ahhs and cheer at the end of every round.
Then it hit me.
How is this any different from traditional sports? Who doesn't love people at the top of their profession perform at a high level? More importantly, how can I help share these experiences with others?
This is what I created Inside Esports.
The Coverage Gap
Esports have been shaped by the modern media landscape.
Twitter hot takes offer no depth. Detailed breakdowns go over a casual viewer's head. Writing about results gives zero context.
So what's missing? The human element and storytelling.
Call me a journalistic old head, but there is something to the old-school art of storytelling through the behind-the-scenes looks.
It's time to engage fans with stories, not ragebait or stat dumps.
A Different Approach
Inside Esports bridges the gap between hardcore technical analysis and surface-level hot takes.
The goal is simple: help fans of all interest levels understand competitive gaming through the people who eat, sleep and breathe it. Whether you're a sweaty player who spends their whole weekend grinding or just a casual one, the stories aim to deepen your appreciation of what happens at the highest levels.
This isn't about the hot takes on Twitter. It's about connecting YOU to the players on a deeper level and giving a glimpse from the top of the mountain.
What you'll get in this newsletter:
Exclusive interviews: Interviews with players, organizers, industry professionals. We're getting information right from the source, instead of a third-party channel.
Unique event coverage: While fans care about who wins and who loses, that's just one aspect of covering an event. Event coverage is going to go beyond the results. I'm going to give insights into what's being said among the other journalists and around the floor.
Gear and setup deep dives: Ever wonder why some players use a pad or Hitbox in fighting games? What about the DPI on a mouse? It's not about specs, but rather the story behind their choices.
View into the culture: Esports have a unique culture, depending on the game and even the region. I'm hoping to give fans a glimpse of what it looks like from not just one culture, but all over.
Who Am I?
So, you're probably wondering: What makes me qualified to write about this stuff?
I love video games and competition. After graduating with a college degree, I became a sports journalist, covering events in the UFC, NFL, NBA, MLB, and a multitude of collegiate athletics. I still write about traditional sports from time to time, primarily for NHL.com as the independent correspondent for the Vegas Golden Knights, where I witnessed firsthand the lifting of the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas, which was an unforgettable moment.
I started writing about eSports in 2023 for The Sporting Tribune, covering EVO. From there, it has become a date circled on my calendar every year.
Here's what makes Inside Esports different: media access. I have media credentials for major FGC events like EVO and Riot Games esports like LCS. Most of the time, a site focuses on only one type of scene. I'm aiming to cover both scenes and give you perspectives on high-level competitive gaming you won't find anywhere else.
To me, eSports journalism is a combination of a few things I love: video games, competition, and, more importantly, storytelling.
That's why I created this newsletter: to share stories with YOU!
What to Expect
I plan on releasing two posts a week on Tuesday and Friday.
Tuesdays will provide a deep dive into a topic. Whether this is in the form of an in-depth interview, cultural deep dive, or interesting tidbit from recent events, this will run 1,000 or more words. This is the protein of the newsletter.
Fridays will be a lighter read, filled with quick observations, lookahead, and weekend reading. Usually 500 to 700 words. Look at this like a side dish.
The newsletter is free. Down the road, I may add a paid tier to fund travel and offer deeper analysis. But the free version will always be worth your time.
Next in Queue
Welcome to Inside Esports! I'm glad you've taken the time to stop by and subscribe.
In our next issue, you'll hear from a fighting game legend who changed the game forever. He shared with me the harsh reality of aging in the competitive fighting space. If you know, you know. If you don't, you'll really appreciate the insight.