Ethan Cannon is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com

CHANDLER – The esports program at Basha High School is leveling up, providing its students with better equipment and funding to make the esports program successful.

While the esports program requires funding to operate, it doesn’t need as much compared to traditional sports. To fund itself, Basha esports engages in fundraisers through its booster club. Basha esports head coach Reilly Sehl has been integral to the program's success. 

“I’ve been here from the very beginning … when they first started trying to transition it from a club to AIA, and they were working on their bylaws, and we kind of helped develop that,” Sehl said.

Over the past year, Basha’s esports program has upgraded the equipment in its new esports room. Upgrades include better computers, monitors and lights to help optimize players’ performance. 

"I think [there are] 15 PC’s in there. More than half of them are new as well," varsity Rocket League player Jorge Coracides said. "We got new monitors, new everything. We have giant TVs that display stuff in there as well. What else? Lights, LED lights, couches. It’s honestly incredible, the transformation it's gone through.”

One of Basha’s varsity League of Legends players, Jaiden Meier, said the new room helps them play better. 

“I don’t know how much of a competitive advantage it gives, but I would definitely say it helps us play a lot better compared to the old equipment,” Meier said.

Another aspect that makes the business side of esports appealing is the lower costs compared to traditional sports. Traditional sports need constant funding for travel and equipment. Esports needs finances to start the program, but not at the same rate traditional sports do, Sehl said.

“The big one, especially where we have a huge advantage, is travel," Sehl said. "Travel is by far one of the biggest, if not the biggest cost of any sport, right? You have to have a bus driver on the clock the entire time, right? And so all of that stuff, we don’t have to worry about.” 

Funding a high school esports team is a challenge. Finding sponsors and partners can be difficult due to the stigma that esports can have, Sehl said. One of the biggest advantages that the Basha esports program has is its booster club.

“We’re the first school to actually have a booster club," Sehl said. "No other school that I know of in the state has one of those. We’re even doing fundraisers today.”

Even the players recognize that having a booster club is helpful for the success of the esports program. Audrey Evans, who plays for three of the four esports teams at Basha, said a booster club is important.

“I think this year’s the first year we have an actually functioning booster club, so I think this year’s really going to kick up with fundraisers and stuff rather than just trying to rely on everything that’s coming out of the coach’s pocket," Evans said. "I’m pretty sure that’s what we did last year." 

The fundraisers that the booster club and the esports team have done include a Super Bowl squares event and a fundraiser with Panda Express. The esports team will look to get more fundraisers and sponsorships as it builds up its team and fights against the stigma of esports, Sehl said.