FHSAA Considers Sanctioning E-Sports as Official Sport amid Growing Interest

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is considering sanctioning competitive video gaming, or e-sports, as an official sport, following a discussion at a recent board meeting in Gainesville. With growing interest from member schools, the organization distributed a survey and received responses from 425 schools, representing 58 percent of its member schools.

According to the survey results, 26.4 percent of schools reported sponsoring an e-sports team or club. In order for e-sports to be eligible for sanctioning, the FHSAA requires at least 20 percent of schools in at least two of its four state regions to offer the sport.

Interest in offering e-sports is high among schools that do not currently have programs, with 54.6 percent expressing interest if the games were sanctioned. Schools in South Florida showed the highest level of interest at 69 percent.

FHSAA board member Trevor Berryhill voiced support for sanctioning e-sports, citing the opportunities it provides for student-athletes. He mentioned a student who received a scholarship to Florida State University for e-sports and is part of their NIL collective.

E-sports programs are gaining recognition across the country, with 21 states already sanctioning them in high schools. Gulf County Schools Superintendent David Norton also expressed support for the proposal, calling it a “win-win” for the FHSAA and hoping for a prompt decision.

While FHSAA officials did not specify a timeline for a decision on sanctioning e-sports, they mentioned that the process is in its early stages. The next step would involve requesting official petitions from member schools interested in adding e-sports programs. Stay tuned for updates on the potential addition of e-sports as an official sport in Florida high schools.