Ahead of the Game: The Unlikely Rise of a Detroit Kid Who Forever Changed the Esports Industry

by Kevin J. Ryan, Sean "Diddy" Combs (Foreword)

Prepare to be inspired by the story of Delane Parnell, the unlikeliest of CEOs now leading a gaming empire at the center of the booming, multibillion-dollar esports industry. Delane Parnell is not your typical tech entrepreneur. He was raised in a gang-riddled neighborhood on Detroit’s west side, bouncing between homes as his mother tried to make ends meet. Many of his closest friends and family members ended up in jail or dead. This makes it even more incredible that Delane became the 25-year-old founder and CEO of PlayVS, a Los Angeles company that is forever changing the gaming landscape in America. In 2018, esports— team-based competitive video gaming—became an officially sanctioned high school sport, meaning student gamers can now earn varsity letters just like their basketball and volleyball player peers. Delane’s startup is making that happen, providing the infrastructure that hosts the competitions, compiles the statistics, organizes playoff tournaments, and streams state championships for tens of thousands of students across the country. Ahead of the Game is a deeply reported narrative that tells the story of Delane, the motley group of underdogs and hustlers that helped build his several-hundred-million-dollar startup, and the previously overlooked students now participating in America’s growing esports phenomenon. It’s a tale of perseverance, courage, loyalty, race, family, tragedy, and believing you can overcome the odds—no matter how severely they’re stacked against you. Readers will also: With a foreword by Sean "Diddy" Combs

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Published January 25, 2022

About the author

Kevin J. Ryan is an award-winning journalist and author who covers business, sports, and technology. He has written and edited for publications including the Wall Street Journal, ESPN The Magazine, Inc., Fast Company, CNBC, and Quartz. He previously spent eight years reporting at Inc. magazine, where he covered entrepreneurship, tech startups, and Silicon Valley.

Kevin lives in Queens, New York with his wife, Abbie, and their dog, Flutie.

Reviews

[Bailey Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I appreciated that each chapter touched on a different aspect of Delane’s Ty life and the history of esports. I was unfamiliar with the concept of esports and this provided strong background on what it is and the value it can bring to high school students. The author did a great job sharing matter-of-fact information to allow the reader to develop their own opinions. 5/5 and would recommend.

[Kate Talan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a usual genre for me, but this story was SO compelling. Ryan finds a way to share such a thorough history without losing the big picture themes that carry through this book. Inspiring read.

[Ricardo Shimoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a well-told inspiring story!

[♛primadonna♛]

This black kid from Detroit (where I'm from.!) changed the world for kids who want to game as an accepted sport/career. I can't WAIT to read this book.!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Delane Parnell and how he parlayed his entrepreneurial spirit and skills into
an amazingly successful startup is very compelling.

Kevin Ryan did a wonderful and thorough job of introducing me (and probably many others)
to the world of esports as well as entrepreneurship.

I loved reading how Delane overcame quite a few obstacles in his youth to achieve his goals- his drive and tenacity are a wonder!

But one of my biggest takeaways in Ahead of the Game was learning how approximately 45% of high schoolers that participate in PlayVS have never before participated in any other after school activities. These kids are finally getting to experience that sense of community that their sports-playing peers enjoy when they play basketball, football, etc.

I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend Delane Parnell's story in Ahead of the Game by Kevin J. Ryan.

[Staci Vought · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super interesting. It took me a while to get through it, but I was engaged every time I read. I loved hearing about the rise of a black CFO from Detroit & I learned a lot about Esports & their value for students. I also learned a lot about the rise of a start up and business practices in general. I admire a lot of the qualities of Delane Parnell. He has stayed true to himself, his upbringing, his original goals for PlayVS and his treatment of others.

[Mae B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want it to end. RTC.

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Review

Such a great story and an important read. It was nice to see an entrepreneur that built himself up from a difficult environment to run a highly successful gaming company. An awesome book I’d recommend to everyone.

[Evan Goldfarb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delane's rise from little to creating PlayVS is inspiring and well told. The book takes you behind the scenes not just into the company but into the world of high school e sports competitions that kept me turning the page.

[mib6475654 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise of e-sports that whole gaming aspect of this! The story of Delane Parnell and everything that you learn about reading this book is super interesting.

[Heather Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really care at all about esports or the tech industry, but this book was about so much more. It tells the story of a young man with drive and motivation to come up against incredible odds to achieve his dream. I also loved hearing about some of the other people in Delane's story just as much as him, like Sean Yalda or Justin. As a pediatrician, I feel like I've always been biased against video games in general and blame them often for the rise in childhood obesity, but this book showed me a completely different side of video games and the benefits they can bring. This book is an overall feel good book that will be sure to leave you feeling inspired.

[Buzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, from the first page to the last.

Ahead of the Game tells the rags to riches story of Delane Parnell who realized great success as an entrepreneur, against all odds. He did it his way, with a fine balance of grit and grace.

Kevin Ryan does a wonderful job chronicling Delane's journey, while closely examining the dynamic esports industry. He also provides insight into how esports enriches the lives of tens of thousands of high school kids across the US.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it read a bit like a long infomercial, the local Detroit connection kept me engaged.

[Karin Van duuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who knew little about esports (except it existed) and had never even heard of Delane Parnell this was an very intriguing read. You learn a lot about esports, start ups, the gaming and tech industry. Delane's story is very inspiring and shows the importance of perseverance. I enjoyed this book very much.

The only thing i didn't really like was way the book was set up. You not only get the story of Delane Parnell en PlayVS, but also how esports changed the lives of American students. Both are very compelling, but those storylines do not intertwine very smoothly. You go from one chapter about Delane to suddenly another chapter just about esports and no mention of Delane. In the beginning of the book that is a bit confusing, espcially because the book is marketed as the story of Delane Parnell.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Matt Kasparian · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO. YOU. LIKE. ESPORT?!

If yes, then this book is definitely for you. If you’ve never heard of esports pick this book up and educate yourself.

Great story. Compelling and rich.

[Clint Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am interviewed in the book.