Viewers casually flipping through channels Sunday night were surprised to turn on ESPN2 and find the network airing some rather unusual programming.
The show was called "Heroes of the Dorm," an eSports tournament featuring students from Arizona State and Cal going head to head in the popular video game, "Heroes of the Storm."
eSports have made their way onto the ESPN networks but before Sunday they were usually on ESPN3.
This two-hour block of programming was competing directly with the NHL playoffs (NBC), the NBA playoffs (Turner) and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN.
For those that missed the tournament, here's how the action looked and sounded:
Q:. how's your core this morning
A: IT'S GOING DOWN
https://t.co/nCGmaZPh1P
— SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) April 27, 2015
So espn 2 is airing colleges playing video games against eachother and it's getting pretty intense... pic.twitter.com/VqNOYs7USE
— sam perovsek (@sam_perovsek) April 27, 2015
The reaction from sports fans ranged from shock to anger to curiosity:
Was there NOTHING scheduled to air on ESPN2? No way a video game tournament was option No. 1, right?
— Tyler Batiste (@TyBatiste) April 27, 2015
There are four grown men in suits broadcasting/analyzing a video game showdown on ESPN 2 right now. This can't be real.
— Kyle Zimmer (@kylezimmer11) April 27, 2015
Video game broadcast on ESPN 2? I was born 12 years too early. I could have been a collegiate athlete
— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) April 27, 2015
Many ESPN personalities weighed in, including SportsCenter anchor Robert Flores:
On another note, what is on espn2?!? How am I just finding out about this???
— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) April 27, 2015
Today "Heroes of The Dorm", tomorrow #madden and @NBA2K. Let's make this happen @espn
— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) April 27, 2015
He's not wrong RT @JJudge23 They owe us live pro wrestling on ESPN now”
— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) April 27, 2015
SportsNation co-host Michelle Beadle was just as amused:
Was my water laced with something? What's happening. pic.twitter.com/ULlsUVdg78
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) April 27, 2015
Yet I can't stop watching. I have things to do. But I can't move. This has mesmerized me. https://t.co/wZuS2aDuCq
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) April 27, 2015
I'm loving the cautious approach by both teams. A lot of twirling and shooting and stuff. The mines could prove disastrous.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) April 27, 2015
Colin Cowherd, one of the network's most popular radio hosts, was enraged with ESPN's decision to show the tournament.
“Here’s what’s going to get me off the air," Cowherd said Monday. "If I am ever forced to cover guys playing video games, I will retire and move to a rural fishing village and sell bait. You want me out? Demand video game tournaments on ESPN because that’s what appeared on ESPN 2 yesterday.”
There's a reason ESPN chose to air "Heroes of the Dorm," and it likely has to do with eSports' soaring viewership. In fact, more people watched the 2013 League of Legends World Championship than the World Series and Final Four combined.
The team from Cal ultimately topped its Pac-12 rivals:
.@UCBerkeley Golden Bears are the HEROES OF THE DORM! pic.twitter.com/lj4OYmLE2G
— Heroes of The Storm (@BlizzHeroes) April 27, 2015