How to Become an Esports Analyst in 2025

In the world of esports, the importance of the analyst position has grown significantly as more professional players and trainers enter the scene.

As esports sees a surge in pro players and coaches, the role of the esports analyst is gaining prominence within the competitive gaming industry.

Companies are putting a lot of resources into assembling robust teams, which involves recruiting analysts capable of deciphering the statistical data related to employee performance. These analysts receive compensation comparable to that of many sports analysts.

With the rapid growth of the esports world, there’s never been a more opportune moment to embark on your journey towards becoming an analyst.

What Does an Esports Analyst Do?

Essentially, an esports analyst breaks down the gameplay, identifying recurring patterns to develop a counter strategy. In simpler terms, they analyze the tactics of games played by professional teams in esports, with the aim of predicting and outsmarting their opponents’ moves.

The nature of their work may vary; for instance, broadcast analysts are often involved in live broadcasts and streaming events. In contrast, team analysts collaborate more closely with specific teams, generating reports about those teams and their individual players.

Additionally, there are some analysts who work independently, meaning they don’t align with any specific team, yet they contribute by sharing their individual findings and perspectives.

To excel as an esports analyst, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of all facets of the specific game involved. Additionally, having excellent verbal and written communication abilities is vital for interpreting and conveying complex data effectively.

Master a Specific Esport

To excel as an elite esports analyst, choose one game to become highly skilled in, whether that’s Valorant, CS:2, League of Legends, or any other well-known esports game currently available.

Familiarize yourself with its workings and stay abreast of changes. Consistently monitor software updates, observe how participants and groups modify their strategies accordingly. Comprehending tournament rules is equally crucial because they impact the way teams strategize for distinct matches.

Additionally, regularly observe professional gamers to gain insight into advanced strategies. Then, dissect key moves made by players during pivotal moments of their games to understand their decision-making process.

Develop Analytical Skills

As an enthusiast, I firmly believe that merely expressing opinions about eSports games doesn’t make one an analyst. To truly earn that title, you must support your views with tangible evidence. Utilize resources like Oracle’s Elixir for League of Legends or VLR.gg (for Valorant esports). These platforms are treasure troves of information, offering free access to a player’s recent stats and performance metrics. By interpreting these effectively, you can strengthen your analysis and gain a deeper understanding of the competitive landscape.

Analyzing replays is crucial for improvement. Familiarize yourself with thoroughly reviewing Video on Demand content and dissecting matches step by step. Grasp all significant statistics such as KDA, average damage per round (ADR), and objective control rates. These metrics are essential to support your analysis findings.

While not essential, proficiency in data science isn’t required, but having skills in working with Excel, Google Sheets, and some Python programming can significantly boost your portfolio. Additionally, learning the basics of SQL using tools like Tableau is beneficial. You can discover numerous tutorials on these topics on YouTube to help you get started.

Build Your Brand and Portfolio

In the current day and age, it’s no longer optional but essential to have an online presence, given the fierce competition across all industries. Building an online portfolio could help you stand out and attract attention.

To achieve this, create your social media profiles (like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter) and showcase your work on them. Start a YouTube or Twitch account to analyze games. Don’t forget to comment on and react to professional players’ moves as well. In essence, you are promoting yourself.

If you excel at writing, consider sharing insightful articles on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn to demonstrate your skills. Ideally, these pieces might attract the attention of some organizations.

Gain Experience

As a gamer myself, I’ve learned that it’s not essential to dive straight into a top-tier esports team. In fact, many aspiring analysts cut their teeth in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 scenes, where we help budding teams with valuable insights. They might not have the financial muscle to hire experienced analysts yet, but let me tell you, these grassroots gigs are a fantastic way to network and make some incredible connections!

1) Participate in lesser-known competitions, provide complimentary analysis sessions to teams. Interact with players and coaches, gaining valuable insights from their expertise. The more you get involved, the more your talents will become recognized. Additionally, consider offering your time by covering tournaments on platforms like Liquipedia or Discord communities. This gradual process will help establish your reputation within the community.

Network and Apply for Jobs

As a passionate gamer, when I’m on the hunt for gaming-related job opportunities, I always turn to specialized esports job boards like Hitmarker, Team Liquid Jobs, and Esports Jobs. They’re my go-to spots! For freelance work, platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr are great options where I can build my portfolio while bringing home some cash.

Keeping track of job listings, especially those shared by teams on platforms like Twitter or X, can help you stay ahead because if you spot a suitable opening, don’t hesitate to reach out directly. This proactive approach could provide you with a competitive advantage.

One often underestimated yet potent tactic is directly contacting through cold emails and outreaches. Numerous professionals have landed their initial opportunities by connecting with teams, event organizers, or even esports platforms themselves.

Directly contacting teams can be beneficial if you possess a portfolio in the field of esports analysis. Each new connection, piece of insight you offer, and conversation you initiate moves you a little further towards securing a position within the esports analysis industry.

Is the Esports Analyst Job Worth Pursuing?

In the past, sports analysts weren’t as prominent as they are today. They started off as behind-the-scenes experts, analyzing numbers and explaining game strategies. Nowadays, they’re high-profile personalities earning millions. For example, Stephen A. Smith, a well-known sports analyst, is rumored to be negotiating a six-year contract worth $120 million with ESPN.

Currently, esports hasn’t reached the same level as traditional sports, but it’s treading a similar path. By 2025, an average annual salary for an esports analyst in the U.S. is projected to be approximately $73,261 or around $35 per hour – a figure that’s already comparable to what traditional sports analysts earn. However, this is merely the start. As esports expands, so will the need for knowledgeable analysts who can dissect games and foresee trends, much like their counterparts in conventional sports.

2025-03-19 17:43