New York-based adult cam site CamSoda is looking to enter the esports industry by offering a $5,000 (£3,821) sponsorship to players, with the chance of a bonus of up to $100,000 (£76,376).
Applications are open now for the sponsorship, with the website asking prospects to submit an essay explaining why they deserve the opportunity – alongside a video clip and social media information.
The chosen player would receive a billboard in downtown Los Angeles, an invitation to become the first member of Team CamSoda, and a custom gaming jersey as well as the cash. A panel of judges will decide on the recipient – who is required to be 18 years of age or older – by November 2nd.
Daryn Parker, Vice President of CamSoda discussed the venture in a statement: “As an adult entertainment webcam platform, with many performers who moonlight as gamers, we saw a unique opportunity to penetrate the fast-growing industry and get behind an established player with a devout following who we can help catapult to the next level. I encourage all eligible athletes to apply for our sponsorship.”
This isn’t the first time a company involved in porn has meddled in esports. Nutaku announced an adult esports tournament in July, with YouPorn acting as a main sponsor. Not only that, YouPorn started Team YP – an esports division – in December 2014.
Esports Insider says: There seems to be a slowly-growing connection between the industries of esports and porn; it’s difficult to ignore that they’re both heavily populated by young adult males. It’s a tad strange how there’s a chance for $100,000 bonus cash to be awarded, but it still sounds like a decent opportunity for a budding, up-and-coming player to get some publicity and funding nonetheless.