Esports is no longer just a pastime for gaming enthusiasts — it become a legitimate path to growth and success, offering kids a sense of purpose, camaraderie, and even career opportunities that many might never have had access to before. In this week’s episode of Financial Freestyle, host Ross Mac speaks with PlayVS CEO Jon Chapman, also the former Co-Founder and President of EVERFI, to explore the growing impact of esports on today’s youth.

Chapman shares how PlayVS is transforming school sports by making esports an officially sanctioned activity, allowing kids to compete for state championships and earn varsity letters in titles like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Madden in 27 states.

He adds that esports is the first experience with extracurricular activities for many students, providing them with a sense of belonging and a purpose. "These are all exciting opportunities where kids who were on an eSports team, they're earning a varsity letter, winning a state championship, hoisting the same trophy as a traditional sport like football or basketball," Chapman says.

Esports is more than just a game. It teaches "the same lessons you get in traditional sports. You think about things like teamwork, communication, resilience, perseverance, goal setting, being able to shift strategy in the middle of a competition," Chapman explains — skills that help students excel both in school and in their future careers.

On the business side, Chapman shares his vision of how PlayVS is working to expand revenue opportunities within the esports ecosystem, from streaming and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals to inspiring kids to pursue careers in STEM. Esports, Chapman argues, is not only a gateway to gaming careers but also a stepping stone to technical and lucrative fields many young gamers may have never considered.

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"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was created by John Tejada, and this episode was produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

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