While former Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh ponders a return to the NBA, his current role is taking him into the world of esports.
Bosh, who calls himself an “avid gamer,” has partnered with global esports organization Gen.G to serve as a “player management advisor,” where he’ll focus on player development. He will mentor teams and players on leadership, teamwork, and dealing with the pressure of high-profile sports.
“We’re creating a culture of winning and integrity based on the concept of teamwork,” Bosh said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get started because the future of Gen.G, and esports as a whole, is extremely bright.”
Bosh said coaching and mentoring have always been part of his long-term plan, adding that he appreciates Gen.G’s approach to building winning teams and prioritizing the health and well-being of its athletes. The organization was one of the first in esports to hire psychologists and physical trainers.
Gen.G players, which are represented across a variety of esports disciplines, including the Overwatch League (Seoul Dynasty) and League of Legends (Gen.G LoL), will be learning from someone who faced adversity as an athlete and can relate to their experiences, both good and bad.
Bosh has two NBA titles, 11 All-Star appearances and an Olympic Gold Medal. He also hasn’t played since the 2015/16 season because of injuries tied to blood clots. But the 34-year-old announced earlier this week that he’s considering an NBA comeback this season, pending physician approval.
“Chris’ presence will have a profound effect on our players and the impact will be felt top-to-bottom within our organization,” said Arnold Hur, Gen.G’s chief growth officer. “He’s a winner and has the unique ability to get through to our players in a way that many coaches can’t.”
Bosh will serve a “multi-purposed role” of advisor, coach, mentor and confidante at Gen.G, the company said. He’ll help players prepare to take on esports’ elite, which is especially critical given the newfound public interest in esports and the pressure to win. He will be “around the teams throughout the year,” serving as a resource at critical times in and out of the arena.
SportTechie Takeaway
Bosh is the latest traditional sports figure to dive headfirst into the world of esports. This comes as the two industries—esports and traditional sports—are leaning on one another for growth.
Esports has been welcoming traditional sports owners and athletes to serve mentorship and ownership roles. Traditional sports, in return, are hoping to get a piece of esports’ meteoric growth, young fan base, and digital media savvy. That explains why a number of traditional sports teams have invested in esports over the past few years, including reigning NBA champions the Golden State Warriors. Earlier this year at South by Southwest, a consultant for esports’ Team Liquid, partially owned by sports team owners Peter Gruber and Ted Leonsis, warned that traditional sports franchises that ignore esports are being “irresponsible” and risk being left behind.