Chris Chaney is the Founder of Chaney Group Holdings and Infinite Esports & Entertainment. He’ll be speaking at ESI New York (#ESINYC) on April 23rd on the ‘Investment in esports: Show me the money’ roundtable alongside Bobby Sharma, Special Adviser to Sports Industry Team at Foley and Lardner LLP, and Josh Chapman, Managing Partner of Konvoy Ventures.
You can find out more about ESI New York and secure your ticket here. We spoke to Chaney about why he decided to get involved with ESI New York and investment in the space.
Esports Insider: Why did you decide to speak at ESI New York?
Chris Chaney: ESI New York looks like a great conference!
I’m excited to get to know new executives and other professionals in the esports space and to have an opportunity to share some of my views and thoughts on the industry.
ESI: What do you think about investors in esports expecting a short-term return on investment?
CC: I think investors need to understand that getting involved in esports is a long-term commitment and investment. In most cases, if not all, there is simply no return in the short-term. You have to be invested and believe that this industry will continue to grow and allow for long-term, sustainable companies that will see a return on your investment.
“You have to be in it for the long haul, and if you are, there’s opportunity for tremendous success”
You have to be mindful from a commercial perspective that we’re still early in the industry’s life cycle and that it will take time. You have to be in it for the long haul, and if you are, there’s opportunity for tremendous success. If you’re not, then you may find yourself in a challenging situation.
I would encourage everyone to look at the industry as a long-term commitment where you double-down on opportunities.
ESI: What’s the key to finding the right project to invest in the esports space?
CC: There are certainly plenty of investment opportunities within esports, and there are more by the day, it seems. To me, it comes down to people and opportunity, but you have to find the right team that you can support and back.
“Team comes first to me; I bet on people to figure it out and to be able to build”
The team comes first to me; I bet on people to figure it out and to be able to build – with the right capital, support, and team – a successful business. A lot of it comes down to networking and getting to know the space and the people in it, and then determining whether there are opportunities that work for you, your strategy, and your thesis.
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