Leveling Up: Examining the Legitimacy and Institutional Support of Collegiate Esports Programs

This study examined how perceptions of organizational legitimacy influence institutional recognition and support for collegiate esports programs. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 79 respondents, including coaches, directors, and sponsors affiliated with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). The survey measured three legitimacy dimensions—cognitive, moral, and pragmatic—and their relationship to institutional support outcomes such as university funding, branding authorization, and departmental recognition. Descriptive analyses revealed high levels of perceived legitimacy across all three dimensions. However, logistic regression results indicated that while overall perceptions were favorable, only moral legitimacy significantly predicted partnerships with non-academic units. This finding suggests that ethical alignment and shared institutional values are critical in securing cross-departmental collaboration and support for emerging programs. These results contribute to organizational legitimacy theory by illustrating how moral legitimacy can facilitate cooperation and institutional recognition, even when cognitive and pragmatic legitimacy are high but insufficient for formal support. The study underscores the importance of aligning esports programs with the university’s mission and values to foster sustainable growth within higher education.