As gaming has come to dominate the entertainment industry, it's not just everyday people getting in on the action. Many professional athletes have tested the waters of the gaming industry and experienced a lot of success. Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen and NBA star Gordon Hayward are just two high-profile athletes making a name for themselves in the gaming arena. Gaming isn't just a hobby for these athletes; it's a way for them to connect with fans, extend their personal brands, and make some extra money through streaming platforms and esports ventures. In this article, we look at how athletes are bringing sports and gaming together in new ways. The Appeal of Gaming for Athletes Professional athletes are competitors at heart, so it's not too surprising that many of them have turned to gaming as a competitive outlet outside of the professional sports they play. One example is Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, who made a name for himself on the racetrack and in the virtual world of FIFA. If you follow Max, you know that his love for gaming is well-documented, and he regularly competes in online tournaments during his downtime. For athletes like him, gaming is a way to stay sharp, engage in strategic thinking, and enjoy some light-hearted competition. Many sports fans do the same in their free time. Online gaming has become popular in recent years, with online casinos becoming a popular destination for those who like to compete for online jackpots as they spin the reels of their favorite slots. Like professional athletes, online games offer everyday players a chance to enjoy the challenge and excitement of competition. Athletes Turning Gaming into a Business While you may think that professional athletes are set for life and have no need to generate income outside their chosen professions, many of them would disagree. As esports have exploded in popularity over the past decades, many of them are looking to get a piece of the competitive gaming pie. For example, Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota established his own esports team, Luna Galaxy which competes in games such as FIFA and Dota 2. Through his esports team, Diogo has been able to grow his brand while profiting from the popularity of esports. It's also become more common for athletes to sign endorsement deals with gaming companies. Gordon Hayward is one of the first names to come to mind when this subject comes up. Hayward retired from the NBA on August 1, 2024, but not before he became the first NBA player to sign an esports endorsement deal, partnering with HyperX, a major gaming accessory brand. These types of deals have made it possible for athletes to combine their interests in sports and gaming while profiting from them both. Given the popularity of competitive gaming, it's likely that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Popular Games and Platforms Among Athletes Many of the most popular games and platforms among non-athlete gamers are also frequented by professional athletes. Athletes commonly play games like Call of Duty, FIFA, NBA 2K, and League of Legends, which are all bestsellers. Neymar Jr. is known for his love of Call of Duty and has even streamed his gameplay to millions of fans. Meanwhile, NBA star Devin Booker has been known to show off his skills while playing NBA 2K and has even won charity tournaments. Athletes use streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube to connect with their players as they play their favorite titles. These platforms have tools that make it easy for them to communicate with their fans in real time and give them a glimpse into their gaming experiences, allowing them to build fan bases and communities that are separate from their sports careers.