USA Gov't Now Recognizes Pro-Gamers as Pro Atheles

[Destiny]

USA Government will now grant Work VISAs for Pro-Gamers.

http://www.gamersbook.com/scene/new...onsiders-pro-gamers-as-proffesional-athletes/

US Government now considers pro players as professional athletes. What this means for pro players is that it's much more easier now to obtain a working visa for United States. So pro players from all over the world can now work in US under the title of professional athlete.

Hmmm... now some ATOTers can now pick up models by stating they are a Pro-Athlete!

 

[Balt]

Good news for NA in LoL.

 

[Newbian]

I do laugh as some of the things like them saying LoL is a sport.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Well, now the Asians will come and take the jobs of all the US gamers.

Are you happy now US?

 

[Wreckem]

How many major video game tournaments are in the US?

 

[Murloc]

I guess if there are more tournaments in the US/more chance to make money through gaming than in other countries, then it would attract people, otherwise I don't see why.

 

[pmv]

Have there been any doping scandals yet?

Its not real athletics till you need drug testing.

 

[Lonyo]

How many major video game tournaments are in the US?

I think it mostly only applies to LoL at the moment due to the structure of the competition.

There are various other competitions, and there are also competitions which move around from different countries as well, so the number in the US is quite variable, but there's a League of Legends league, Starcraft 2, which have about 3 seasons per year, then various somewhat ad-hoc events that occur as and when on a semi-regular basis, like MLG and others (usually multiple times per year) which are typically weekend events.

 

[Doppel]

I am fine with visas for tournaments but it sure as hell is not a sport by most people's standard.

 

[Lonyo]

I am fine with visas for tournaments but it sure as hell is not a sport by most people's standard.

Do chess, poker etc get tournament visas?
That would seem the most comparable thing probably.

 

[dawheat]

Have there been any doping scandals yet?

Its not real athletics till you need drug testing.

It's commonly accepted that a large percentage of top FPS players take Adderall during tournaments.

 

[Nintendesert]

Do chess, poker etc get tournament visas?
That would seem the most comparable thing probably.

http://www.chessvibes.com/reports/van-wely-denied-entry-to-us-for-lacking-a-work-visa


Not sure how it actually works for Chess players, seems he could go to tournaments and win money on just a tourist visa but for any coaching duties required a work visa.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Now pro athletes (gamers) will gather for training sessions (lan parties) and eat vegetables (pizza). That's the healthy lifestyle we all strive for!

 

[JimKiler]

And yet cheerleading is not a sport under Title IX.

 

[Ichinisan]

I don't plan to read the OP or any on-topic posts in this thread because I'm not interested.

I only came to say that the typographical error in the topic title is extremely irritating.

 

[blankslate]

This is the logical conclusion of people considering golfers as athletes... while it does take an outrageous amount of skill and coordination they're not athletes in the same sense as people who run all over the place to play their sport....

 

[her209]

Golfing isn't a sport either.

 

[shortylickens]

 

[rh71]

golf is borderline, but that opened the flood gates!

Golf, poker, and billiard-types should be a "game" instead. And should not be considered sports.

 

[blankslate]

Golfing isn't a sport either.

exactly... name another sport in which people can play and compete professionally well into their 40s in some cases their early 50s

 

[her209]

Major League Eating athletes?

 

[Ichinisan]

D:

 

[Nintendesert]

To be fair to golf, walking 18 holes in the heat on these courses in Arizona and Florida takes a measure of stamina. Not to simply walk it, but to walk it and still maintain all your swing mechanics and concentration.

 

[gorcorps]

golf is borderline, but that opened the flood gates!

Golf, poker, and billiard-types should be a "game" instead. And should not be considered sports.

Golf is not in the same league as those others. You're sitting down in poker and doing nothing but "thinking". Golf requires quite a bit more physical movement even though it's not fast. And if you walk the course instead of use a cart like a lazy ass it's quite a trek.

I have an issue with poker and driving being considered a sport. Golf makes more sense to me than anything.

 

[rh71]

And yet cheerleading is not a sport under Title IX.

It's basically a lesser gymnastics. It's a sport. I don't know who decides any of this... clearly they don't have a good set of guidelines.

Golf is not in the same league as those others. You're sitting down in poker and doing nothing but "thinking". Golf requires quite a bit more physical movement even though it's not fast. And if you walk the course instead of use a cart like a lazy ass it's quite a trek.

I have an issue with poker and driving being considered a sport. Golf makes more sense to me than anything.

I did say golf was borderline but in the big picture I'd vote no. Billiards also requires physical movement and power. Darts too. Horseshoes. Curling. No.

I don't know what you'd call race-car driving. I'd consider that much more strenuous than golf. We just need a better encompassing word for anything not requiring continuous / strenuous bodily motion in a competitive environment. (Insert baseball joke here)

Hell I was laughing at race-walking in the Olympics. But I'd have to say that's a sport, albeit a tremendously stupid one.