The “big red bull” in the esports room: Anti-doping, esports, and energy drinks

In this paper, I examine the theoretical foundations of esports anti-doping policies. Specifically, I focus on the health- and integrity-related arguments on which esports organizations rely to justify their anti-doping efforts and how the arguments relate to esports organizations’ partnership with energy-drink companies. First, I briefly explain the creation and development of anti-doping policies in esports. Subsequently, I identify the theoretical foundations of such policies. Then, I expound how the commercial partnership between esports organizations and the energy-drink industry may impact esports anti-doping theoretical underpinnings. I conclude by critiquing this partnership.