Up To Date

Kansas City Has Another Pro Team In The Pioneers

By Steve Kraske,

Published June 30, 2021 at 4:53 AM CDT

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A male gamer seated at a table in a darkened gaming arena wearing a headset with a monitor, keyboard and video game controller in front of him. — The purses in international esports competitions can exceed $25 million.

Kansas City's esports team can draw more viewers than Sporting KC or the Kansas City Royals.

One study estimates that global esports and the game streaming industry is expected to be worth $3.5 billion by 2025. The Pioneers were founded in 2019 with a mission "to use the power of esports to champion diversity, inclusion and opportunity to players and fans." We talk with the team's founder and a major new addition to its roster for an inside look at an industry where competitors can make their fortune playing video games.

Lorenzo "LJ" Brown, founder, Kansas City Pioneers
Doug “Censor” Martin, two-time Call of Duty Major League Gaming Champion

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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