Drone Addicts
  • Drone News
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Drone Discounts
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Drone Reviews
  • About Us
Uncategorized 0

What Is The Best Model For The DRL?

By Chad · On December 7, 2018

The Drone Racing League has already come further than a lot of people would have predicted. It’s been televised for multiple years by ESPN networks, investment is still coming into the sport, and this past fall pilots competed for a $100,000 prize purse. While it’s still far too soon to call drone racing a major sport, as some seem to want to do, it’s clear that there is a path forward for it, and that it can be a sustainable form of entertainment.

One interesting way to look at it is with other sports in mind. That is, it can be interesting to consider fringe spectator sports and how some of them might be models for drone racing’s future. For reasons that will become clear, we’re looking specifically at eSports, poker, and Formula 1.

eSports

eSports have been mentioned before as a potential model for drone racing because in a way, the two are similar in nature. Both are pseudo sports, based on technology to some degree, and involving the idea of watching people competing with controllers. eSports were dismissed by some skeptics early on, via the simple argument that no one would want to watch someone else play games, but those skeptics have already been proven woefully wrong. Competitive gaming now accounts for massive revenues and almost unbelievable streaming audiences, which in some cases rival those viewing major sporting events. Drone racing cannot match the variety of eSports, but it does embrace a similar basic concept: that of watching others compete, not in a professional sport, but in something you could go out and do with your friends. There is then some logic to the notion that if eSports can become a major industry, the DRL has a chance at prolonged, lucrative success as well.

Poker

Poker is actually somewhat like eSports, fundamentally, given that it’s a competitive, high-stakes activity that amateurs can practice and relate to. In the early 2000s, millions of people got used to watching poker on television, and even on ESPN networks. Now, however, the industry is thriving online as well, via streaming models that may be more helpful for the DRL. Online poker was once a clunky, somewhat unsophisticated activity; now, it’s becoming a very good imitation of poker in a real casino. In casino gaming in general, people can play their favorite games with real dealers on any mobile device or desktop, and this includes poker tournaments. Thus, the tournaments are run more professionally and realistically than ever before, and streaming from established poker sites, Twitch, and other services can turn these tournaments into spectator events. The DRL and other drone racing entities may want to emulate the sheer breadth and availability of competitive online poker in order to achieve maximum revenues.

Formula 1

Formula 1 is more of a “real” sport, and is an absolutely massive comparison for something as new and relatively small as drone racing. For instance, F1 recently reported $10 million in digital revenue as a bad number, whereas the same figure associated with drone racing would potentially be celebrated. Nevertheless, here we’re talking more about the structure of the sport than the streaming options or revenue model. Right now, the DRL is somewhat devoid of characters and personalities. F1 on the other hand is built on the differences and rivalries between car manufacturers and drivers. If the DRL simply wants to generate more interest, an internal effort to establish pilots as known characters and drones as being representative of competing companies could go a long way toward establishing F1-like rooting interests. This would in turn lead to more attention, more demand, and more revenue.

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares
Share Tweet

Chad

When I'm not droning on about... well, you get the idea, I'm spending most of my time climbing plastic at the local rock climbing gym. Believe it or not, drones and rock climbing go hand in hand.

You Might Also Like

  • Uncategorized

    Traveling with a Drone: What You Need to Know

  • Uncategorized

    Drone Display in China Causes Panic with Malfunction

  • Uncategorized

    How Can Weather Map Software Improve Your Safety in Severe Weather?

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Chad looking at drone

Welcome to Drone Addicts!

The Internet is full of drone blogs, so why start another one? Simply put, I'm here to create the ultimate community for drone addicts to share news, reviews, and tips. -Chad

Want to chat? Send me an e-mail.

Latest Drone Articles

  • Things to Know Before Buying Your First Drone

    February 22, 2021
  • Top 5 Drones Under $500

    February 22, 2021
  • Everything You Need To Know About the DRL (Drone Racing League)

    February 22, 2021
  • Drone Photography: The Undisputed Top 5

    February 22, 2021
  • UVIFY DRACO versus WALKER F210 3D

    February 22, 2021
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Scholarship
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise on Drone Addicts

© Drone Addicts, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Drone Addicts with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.