League of Legends: Michigan vs Ohio State tonight @ 6 pm ET

Submitted by MGoNukeE on

Title says it all. Streaming information available here: https://ulol.na.leagueoflegends.com/categories/all/news/full-btn-league-schedule

Team information, with league standings and rosters, are available here: https://ulol.na.leagueoflegends.com/competitive/bigtennetwork. Michigan leads its division (OSU is in 4th behind Rutgers and Maryland), so I will keep a lookout for any potential playoff information and hope BTN2Go won't lock future matches behind a paywall.

HT: austinnt from January thread: http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/um-vs-osu-league-legends-btn2go-february-27th

FAQ: "What is League of Legends?"
Riot Games has a 5.5-minute video explaining the basic premise behind the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGtROJeMPeE

The Maizer

February 27th, 2017 at 4:51 PM ^

The site you linked says it is on at 6 pacific time, not eastern.

Edit: Also, both of your links are the same link (even though the first has a different text).

youn2948

February 27th, 2017 at 4:55 PM ^

However I still cannot get into esports\professional video gaming

Although I'd rather play a sport than watch it and can only stomach watch a few professional games as it is.

PeterKlima

February 27th, 2017 at 5:50 PM ^

Should we be concerned the Big Ten Network is this desperate for viewers/sponsors? 

Is the ESPN bubble bursting causing our schools to freak out?

What is next?  Oscar Meyer sponsored hot dog eating contests between the schools?

Maybe Twitter could sponsor some comparison of Twitter followers by school?

Or, Domino's could sponsor a delivery contest in ech B1G college town?

This has Dave Brandon written all over it.....

Sledgehammer

February 27th, 2017 at 6:45 PM ^

Despite what you and many others in this thread think, eposrts is huge. I know that these players aren't athletes in the traditional sense, but they are highly skilled at what they do. Along with its size, esports has a lot of mony to be made being a player. Here is the highest played players in the world

http://www.esportsearnings.com/players/highest-overall

The highest earning player has made over $2.7 mil!!!

Jalm

February 27th, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^

Are you that dense? Even if, LoL is a free to play game. Ive played for many years and not one dollar spent. Why no outrage at Under Armor AA game? Theyre trying to expand their brand and company, or the Advocare classic.

petered0518

February 27th, 2017 at 7:38 PM ^

Let's compare viewership numbers of League of Legends to some other sports:

2016 league world championship had peak concurrent viewership of 14.7M and 43M unique viewers: 

http://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/2016-league-legends-world-cham…

 

Here is the history of the frozen four title game viewership, highest was 717K in 2014: 

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2016/4/12/11415322/2016-frozen-four-tv-…

That was just college sports. Let's compare to professional. 2016 NHL finals averaged about 4M viewers per game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cup_Finals_television_ratings

 

I think it is wise to try to tap into that viewership market, personally. Hardly a sign of desperation.

 

 

 

PeterKlima

February 27th, 2017 at 8:46 PM ^

1. It is not something that encourages intellect or athleticism. Not suited for sanctioned college competition.

2. It is a direct marking endeavor by a privately held gaming company. It is Dave Brandon's wet dream.

These things make it a desperation sell out.

3. They may have tons of viewers... or not. You seem to be comparing TV ratings and online viewer ratings. Moreover, the online numbers for Riot are their own concoction over weeks of a tournament. They are a private company and never have to reveal how they come up with those numbers. You compared that to TV rating for a handful of games that only last a couple hours. Don't misuse numbers like that.

In reply to by PeterKlima

yvgeni

February 27th, 2017 at 10:15 PM ^

honestly you have no idea what you're talking about. I would STFU and learn before making ridiculous claims like "doesn't encourage intellect" 

the kids playing these games are I would guess the top performers in their schools and increidlby gifted athletes.  Their neuro-placticity and hand-eye coordination would rival any professional athlete and would put you to shame.  



yes, they're probably smarter than you.  Probably.  But certainly they wouldn't make idiotic comments about other sports they know nothing about.

PeterKlima

February 27th, 2017 at 10:31 PM ^

Yes. they are very gifted athletes. I am in awe at how they sharpen their intellect....

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150519210303.htm

https://www.google.com/amp/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and…

http://www.livestrong.com/article/278074-negative-effects-of-video-game…

So awesome to see those peak minds and bodies compete for the world's admiration. These are the leaders of tomorrow.

Yeah, sitting down and playing games!

yvgeni

February 27th, 2017 at 10:59 PM ^

great job googling; again I would recommend you STFU before you continue embarassing yourself.

 

you know nothing of what you speak.  ESPN has fired a million people and is dropping business lines left and right and the ONLY vertical they started last year from scratch was eSports.  But because you're so wise, you probably know more than ESPN and Disney.

PeterKlima

February 27th, 2017 at 11:14 PM ^

Popular doesn't mean good for you. It doesn't mean it's not a desperate sell out. Porn is popular and could save ESPN too.

Also, I apparently know more about this than you. Your insight is "shut up, unless you play these games," You are the beacon of ignorance for your on-line gaming community. Bear the flag proudly!!!

yvgeni

February 28th, 2017 at 12:08 AM ^

you actually think video games are bad for you. you also probably still wish we could go back to the good ol' days of WWII and man wish we could get those coal mines up and running again because they were good for us.

 

Am I close? either way i'm done with you.  stupidity isn't worth engaging.  When you dig deeper than 3 googles into a topic, then you can speak.  Until then, your opinion is less than worthless.

yvgeni

February 28th, 2017 at 12:08 AM ^

you actually think video games are bad for you. you also probably still wish we could go back to the good ol' days of WWII and man wish we could get those coal mines up and running again because they were good for us.

 

Am I close? either way i'm done with you.  stupidity isn't worth engaging.  When you dig deeper than 3 googles into a topic, then you can speak.  Until then, your opinion is less than worthless.

PrincetonBlue

February 28th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^

Why does what people are doing have to prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow? You're getting sucked in by business-school branding.  But while we're on the subject, we should probably stop playing football.  At least League doesn't give you ALS and take away your ability to walk when you're 40!  How are you supposed to be a leader if you can't even think or walk?

PeterKlima

February 28th, 2017 at 10:50 AM ^

Playing football is better for your health than not playing.  That is a fact.  While injuries and things happen, the benefit far outweighs the harm.  (The most common harm being heart issues for big linemen).

Aside from that, it is not that we can't all enjoy games, etc.  Not everything has to be for your personal betterment.  It is just that schools should not sponsor things that are pure leisure activities.  

Drinking beer is fine.  We just dont need a Michigan beer-drinking team.  Competitive eating with friends can be fun, but no need for a team.  No need for a juggling team, a poker team, etc. 

Have fun, but attaching the University's name to this one particular video game reeks of Dave Brandon.

 

PrincetonBlue

February 28th, 2017 at 1:22 PM ^

"That is a fact."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_players_with_chronic_traumati…

But while we're on the subject (I'm saying this a lot, since you like to move the goalposts when arguing), sports are exactly what you mean by "pure leisure activities".  Unless, of course, you have a rigorous definition that can somehow exclude competitive video gaming.

Face it, it's your own antiquated attitude that's making you so opposed to this.  Maybe try being a little more open-minded and understand a little bit more about the thing you're arguing so vehemently against.

The Krusty Kra…

February 28th, 2017 at 1:51 AM ^

And Gretchen Wieners, err, I mean BTN, needs to stop trying to make it happen. I'm fine with LoL and its supporters but the term "esports" is an affront to athletes playing any of the actual college sports that require more than hand eye coordination