The aim of this study was to analyze how professional esports gamers perceive the leadership and mentoring role of streamers. Adopting a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, the research focused on the lived experiences of 16 male professional gamers with national and regional team-level experience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted during official tournaments and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Coding followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase process, and data trustworthiness was ensured using Guba and Lincoln’s criteria. The findings revealed that gamers’ perceptions of streamer mentoring centered around three main themes: the mentor’s physical attributes, professional competence, and technical skills. Results suggest that leadership within streaming and digital platforms is characterized by a collaborative, technically-psychological, and media-oriented nature—rooted in the ability to narrate effectively, provide real-time analysis, and foster authentic connection with the audience. Results suggest that leadership within streaming and digital platforms is characterized by a collaborative, technically-psychological, and media-oriented nature—rooted in the ability to narrate effectively, provide real-time analysis, and foster authentic connection with the audience.
POURKIANI, P. , Afrouzeh, A. and MohammadAmin Zadeh, P. (2026). Analyzing Esports Gamers’ Perceptions of Streamers’ Mentor-Leadership Role. Communication Management in Sport Media, (), -. doi: 10.30473/jsm.2026.75254.2008
MLA
POURKIANI, P. , , Afrouzeh, A. , and MohammadAmin Zadeh, P. . "Analyzing Esports Gamers’ Perceptions of Streamers’ Mentor-Leadership Role", Communication Management in Sport Media, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.30473/jsm.2026.75254.2008
HARVARD
POURKIANI, P., Afrouzeh, A., MohammadAmin Zadeh, P. (2026). 'Analyzing Esports Gamers’ Perceptions of Streamers’ Mentor-Leadership Role', Communication Management in Sport Media, (), pp. -. doi: 10.30473/jsm.2026.75254.2008
CHICAGO
P. POURKIANI , A. Afrouzeh and P. MohammadAmin Zadeh, "Analyzing Esports Gamers’ Perceptions of Streamers’ Mentor-Leadership Role," Communication Management in Sport Media, (2026): -, doi: 10.30473/jsm.2026.75254.2008
VANCOUVER
POURKIANI, P., Afrouzeh, A., MohammadAmin Zadeh, P. Analyzing Esports Gamers’ Perceptions of Streamers’ Mentor-Leadership Role. Communication Management in Sport Media, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.30473/jsm.2026.75254.2008
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