Esports—competitive video gaming, particularly involving professional leagues, teams and players—potentially faces an impending, although largely unexpected, crisis.

As esports continues its meteoric growth, its antitrust exposure also grows. Protecting competitive free markets has shaped industries ranging from aviation to energy to communications. Soon, the competitive video game industry must address its own growing market share—either voluntarily or in the form of lawsuits and regulations imposed from the outside. Identifying and implementing proactive policies and carefully charting how to operate effectively within antitrust regulations is paramount to continuing esports’ success.