The Role of Universities in the Development of the Esports Ecosystem: A Case Study and Proposal for a Development Framework

This rigorous thesis examines the role of universities in the development of the esports ecosystem in the Czech Republic. Its aim is to identify key challenges, opportunities, and stakeholder expectations related to the implementation of esports within higher education, and to evaluate the benefits of a two-year pilot operation of the Esports Centre at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University. The theoretical section provides an overview of the esports market, its structural characteristics, legislative aspects, and the roles of individual actors. The empirical section combines a qualitative stakeholder analysis based on semi- structured interviews with a quantitative evaluation of performance and operational indicators of the pilot university esports department. The findings demonstrate that universities can play a significant role in the ecosystem through research, education, professionalisation, and the creation of standards. Several key barriers were identified, including insufficient institutional anchoring, fragmented responsibilities, and the absence of a national framework for university esports. The pilot operation of the Esports Centre confirmed the potential for structured student engagement, the development of educational programmes, the promotion of healthy...