Esports Federation and Heroes 3

As far as I remember, in the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece, there were initially no prizes or sponsors: only a laurel wreath on the head and "respect and recognition" from the entire nation.

The prizes for the winner were paid by the state they represented in the games. Holding any event of this scale is impossible without sponsors (at the very least, it is necessary to build and maintain sports and religious structures). Thus, the event was sponsored by kings and priests.