Home Gaming A 100,000 strong petition brings eSports to the White House

A 100,000 strong petition brings eSports to the White House

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President Obama has until November this year to make any last changes which will inevitably define his presidency. Obama has perhaps been one of North America’s more accessible presidents in recent years, and with this in mind, he could go out with allowing easier access to North America for eSports athletes.

The decision needs to be hasty, because come November, Donald Trump may be too busy building his Wall, Hilary Clinton will be deciding which State Secrets to leak next, and Bernie Sanders will be too busy fighting for the little people. We haven’t heard much about “eSports” in any campaign speeches, but the 100,000 person petition signed after Super Smash Bros. player William “Leffen” Hjelte was deported from the United States for being on a tourist VISA and not a work VISA.

LEffen

This has been a persisting problem in the United States after a number of eSports players have been barred from entering the country to compete at eSports competitions. They’re offered neither a sporting VISA or work VISA for their travels, and often break the rules by competing, and winning prize money, which violates the terms of a tourism VISA.

According to eSports Observer the United States Government now has 60 days to offer an official statement regarding the petition, but many feel it is unlikely that eSports will be granted the same VISA as conventional sports. The US have in the past offered P1 VISAs for League of Legends players, but these specific cases are few when considering the amount of VISA issues which have plagued eSports over the years.

It’s no secret that eSports has gone mainstream over the past few months. Major news and sporting sites such as ESPN, Yahoo, and others have jumped on board with extensive coverage, and let’s not forget the Turner ELEAGUE which will be taking place later this month.

Please, Mr. President, allow us to unironically say “Thanks, Obama” just one more time.

 

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Last Updated: May 25, 2016

9 Comments

  1. Pariah

    May 25, 2016 at 13:32

    (?°?°)?? ???

    Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      May 25, 2016 at 13:43

      Do you have a VISA to flip that table?

      Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 25, 2016 at 13:41

    VISA. Taking you places. Like back home. Because you got deported.

    Reply

    • oVg whippersnapper

      May 25, 2016 at 14:11

      SPORT VISAs gets you into places like North Korea. eSPORTS FTW

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        May 25, 2016 at 14:22

        Fuck that. WASHINGTON POST FOR LIFE!

        Reply

  3. oVg whippersnapper

    May 25, 2016 at 13:54

    So, just 90 000 more for the take down Washington Post review from Metacritic 😛

    Reply

  4. I_am_Duffman!

    May 26, 2016 at 08:18

    I like my games. And I am starting to discover how fun it is to Youtube playthroughs of games I will not be able to play myself (like Until Dawn for the story and Dark Souls for the frustration and humor). But how to start watching competitive games? Not really a fan of Lol or Dota so what else is there?

    Reply

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