By David Lisko and Viktor Lyusi ( March 27, 2018, 11:53 AM EDT) -- A few years ago video game tournaments accommodated a few hundred players, competing for modest prizes, and a few spectators watched. Just a few years later, these tournaments are selling out the same arenas that NBA teams play in. Esports competitors have become celebrities, garnering millions of social media followers and some earning six-figure salaries. In 2017 over $112 million was awarded across official esports tournaments. Twitch.tv, the world's largest video live-streaming platform, averaged 962,000 concurrent viewers in January, beating CNN by nearly 200,000 viewers. Notable esports investors include Robert Kraft (New England Patriots), Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Neil Leibman (Texas Rangers). The NBA has started the NBA 2K League, an esports league with a draft from the world's best NBA 2K players who will be paid salaries. Varsity collegiate esports with scholarship student athletes is even being discussed....