Last week the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) announced that it would increase membership dues for the 2024-2025 academic year. The annual dues will rise from $2,500 USD to $3,250, according to the announcement.
In a letter to members, NACE Executive Director Michael Brooks listed a number of factors for this increase including inflation, rising operational costs, costs of expanding its full-time staff, and the rising costs of executing sponsorship agreements.
“In light of these factors, the Board of Directors has determined that an adjustment in membership dues is necessary to ensure the continued sustainability and growth of NACE, enabling us to effectively serve our member institutions and advance the collegiate esports ecosystem,” Brooks wrote. “We understand that any increase in dues may pose challenges for some member institutions, and we are committed to working closely with you to mitigate any potential impacts. We remain dedicated to providing exceptional value and support to our members, and are confident that the investments made possible by this dues increase will yield tangible benefits for the collegiate esports community as a whole.”
NACE, a nonprofit membership association, claims to be the “world’s largest collegiate esports league,” with more than 20,000 “active student participants” representing nearly 900 schools in North America.
You can read the entire announcement below:
NACE Member Colleges and Universities,
As valued members of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), we are writing to inform you of an upcoming change regarding membership dues for the 2024-2025 academic year.
After careful consideration and thorough evaluation of our operational needs and financial obligations, the NACE Board of Directors has voted to increase the annual membership dues to $3,250 for Academic Year 2024/2025. We understand that any adjustment in dues requires thoughtful explanation, and we want to be transparent about the reasons behind this decision.
Since 2016, NACE has maintained a consistent annual membership dues rate of $2,500. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that over the past seven years, inflation and rising operational costs have eroded the purchasing power of these dues.
Furthermore, the landscape of collegiate esports has evolved significantly since 2016, and driven by direct member feedback, NACE has continuously expanded to support this evolution. The number of titles fielded in NACE and the associated efforts to support these additional game titles, including infrastructure development and staffing, have necessitated increased financial resources.
In the past, we were fortunate to be able to utilize free or low-cost resources which no longer meet the needs of our members, nor their expectations. While this transition has brought about substantial benefits and improvements, it has also incurred costs. Our competition platform charges on a per-student basis, and with the growing number of teams fielded by each NACE member institution, these costs have become significantly more pronounced.
Additionally, the expansion of our staff from one full-time member in 2016 to a peak of six full-time staff members and part-time Tournament Organizers (TOs) reflects our commitment to providing the level of support and service that our members expect and deserve.
Moreover, while sponsorships have historically played a significant role in offsetting increasing costs, we have observed rising costs associated with executing sponsorship agreements, coupled with decreasing valuations from sponsors. This trend mirrors broader shifts within the esports industry and underscores the need for prudent financial management.
In light of these factors, the Board of Directors has determined that an adjustment in membership dues is necessary to ensure the continued sustainability and growth of NACE, enabling us to effectively serve our member institutions and advance the collegiate esports ecosystem.
We understand that any increase in dues may pose challenges for some member institutions, and we are committed to working closely with you to mitigate any potential impacts. We remain dedicated to providing exceptional value and support to our members, and are confident that the investments made possible by this dues increase will yield tangible benefits for the collegiate esports community as a whole.
Membership renewals will open next week with the launch of the new NACE website.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate these changes together. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this adjustment, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Sincerely,
Michael Brooks
Executive Director
National Association of Collegiate Esports