The North American esports ecosystem is at a strategic inflection point. We have the infrastructure—200,000+ high school participants, 240+ collegiate programs, consistent industry growth—but we haven't built effective bridges between them.
The cost of this disconnect isn't just individual program frustration. It's systematic competitive disadvantage for our entire ecosystem.
"The Great Disconnect" explores this challenge through intensive collaboration with 45+ senior practitioners across educational institutions and industry organizations.
Key Insights:
- Why most programs excel at competition but struggle with industry partnerships
- Partnership approaches that create mutual value (beyond guest lectures)
- How successful programs leverage student leadership capabilities
- Assessment methods that demonstrate career preparation value
- Resource strategies that work within existing constraints
Organizations are using these insights to improve talent pipeline effectiveness, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and enhance career preparation outcomes.
