TNL: Hank, congrats on your recent involvement with Denial eSports. What made you choose them?

HB: It all started with Robby reaching out to me on Twitter. Over the years I had heard a lot about Denial as I was always doing my best to keep up with eSports. I grew more and more interested in Denial as he spoke. Once he finally asked if I was willing to be a part of the organization as Co-Owner I didn’t hesitate. To be part of one of the original organizations was an opportunity I could not pass up, especially due to the fact that I was the first person that Robby had reached out to in regards to ownership.

TNL: You’ve had an interest in Gaming and eSports for a while now. In 2014, you became the co-owner of GAEMS. What’s so enticing about the space for you?

HB: I have always been a gamer and dedicated to sports. I was fortunate to play 5 years in the NFL so that gave me the opportunity to understand what it was like to be a professional athlete. Once I stumbled upon eSports I saw something that I thought would be a game changer in regards to professional sports and how they are seen both nationally and internationally. A true global sport that brings athletes together from every continent across the globe. Football for instance is not followed in foreign countries as it is here in the US. Overwatch and League of Legends are just a couple titles of the many out there that have teams representing countries near and far. I believe that video games have changed drastically over the years. By this, I mean there are so many games out there that everyone can find that one game that truly sparks their inner gamer.

TNL: You were one of the first athletes to see the eSports opportunity. Over the past two years, we’ve seen an explosion – 35+ Pro Teams, Team Owners, and even a Poker player. Do you see more professional athletes making direct investments because they see everyone else doing it?

HB: I do believe that with the growth and awareness of eSports there will continue to be those that jump into the culture because it is seen as the thing to do. However, I feel that some of those that have invested and ones that may invest in the future will do it because of their passion for gaming and the eSports industry. I mean, who can blame them, the growth of eSports has become widely covered in the media while the industry I believe hasn’t event reached it’s infancy stages!

TNL: About 2 ½ years ago you said that “Within the next 5 years, eSports will become the first truly global sport”. We’re now halfway towards your prediction. How do you feel about that statement now?

HB: I think my guesstimate was pretty accurate. You look at how many eSports tournaments are taking place globally. You have more and more developers integrating new formats into their previously successful titles with the hopes of their games being added to the numerous titles already entrenched in the eSports world. This is because the growth in the numbers of eSports followers. eSports organizations have created massive fan bases, with fans continuously following their favorite teams as well as buying as much merchandise as possible. Sounds very similar to other professional sports don’t you think! The growth chart at least for a few more years to come is going in one direction and that way is up!

TNL: I agree that eSports will become the first global sport. However, we still have issues with players/casters not getting paid, infrastructure problems, multiple leagues for the same game. What’s the biggest issue for you that eSports needs to overcome to become a global success?

HB: Those are indeed problems and I think that the industry as whole are working to fix those. It will take time. Anytime something is new and grows as fast as the eSports industry has there will be initial flaws. The only way to fix these flaws or learn how to manage them is to do it as a collective. Leagues, organizations, owners and players all must decided whether or not they want to grow as a whole or grow separately. I personally feel that at some point though they will come together. Look back at professional basketball. We’ve had the ABA and now the NBA. It will take time, because if it’s rushed it will have to be done all over again. That would not be good because a major set back for eSports would be held against it from all the naysayers. The opportunities are endless for eSports as a whole and I’m proud to say that I was a believer from the moment I found my way into it’s world and even more so that I am an owner.

Thanks for your time Hank.

ROBBY RINGNALDA