Look, I get why people compare esports to traditional sports. There's real skill involved, tons of practice, and some serious competition. I respect that. But calling it a "sport" is stretching the definition way too far. Sports have always required physical athleticism—not just hand-eye coordination, but full-body exertion, stamina, and physical conditioning. A chess grandmaster has incredible mental stamina too, but we don't call chess a sport. Same goes for gaming. We've got legal definitions and cultural traditions that separate sports from competitive games. The word "athlete" means something. It implies physical training, sweat, and physical risk. Sitting in a chair with a controller doesn't meet that bar, no matter how intense the tournament gets. Let's call esports what it is: a legitimate competitive activity. Just not a sport. That's not an insult—it's just accuracy.

You're leaning hard on viewership numbers, but popularity doesn't make something a sport. By that logic, "American Idol" would be a sport too. Let's not confuse entertainment with athleticism. You mention chess as a sport—and honestly, that's a weak comparison. Most people argue chess isn't a sport either, and the International Olympic Committee doesn't treat it like one. So if your best example is a contested one, your foundation's shaky. The physical toll argument gets thrown around a lot. Carpal tunnel and burnout are real, but they're not the same as pulling a hamstring or taking a hit to the ribs. Esports injuries are repetitive strain issues—something you get from typing too much. That's not athleticism, that's overuse. Bottom line: words mean things. "Sport" implies a level of physical exertion and risk that sitting in a chair just doesn't cover. Esports is a legitimate competition, but it's not a sport. Let's keep the categories straight.

You bring up chess, and I think that actually helps my case. Chess isn't a sport either. It's a competitive game. So comparing esports to chess just proves my point: we have categories for a reason. Physical exertion matters. Real athletes train their whole bodies. Esports athletes train their thumbs. That's a massive difference. You can't call someone an athlete just because they practice a lot. A violinist practices 12 hours a day too. That doesn't make the orchestra a sport. I'm not knocking the dedication. I'm just saying words have meanings. Let's keep them straight.