An article in the New York Times sports section (under the "more sports" header) suggests many professional videogaming organizations are falling on hard times.

The headline, "Virtual Leagues Fold, Forcing Gamers to Find Actual Jobs", is a mild jab, but I can't help but wonder if such a headline would be written about guys who play baseball, golf, or fish for a living. Which raises the question: Are there actually guys who fish for a living? Given that the article discusses some poor guy who has to work at Sam's Club after attempting a career playing a middling fighting game, nothing would surprise me.

Until recently, Emmanuel Rodriguez worked on a stage, under bright lights, amid intense competition and before cheering fans. He was a professional video-game player, and a world champion.

Now he works at the customer service desk of a Sam's Club in Dallas.

Mr. Rodriquez (pictured at his actual job) was a former Dead or Alive 4 pro. It's worth noting that Dead or Alive 4 in particular, and fighting games in general, aren't the draw they once were. Let me know when there are unemployed Halo and Gears of War scrounging for work in the retail and service industries.

The point of the article seems to be that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has shut down its gaming league and that unspecified other leagues are also shut down. According to the New York Times, only the Major League Gaming is going strong.

In 2008, three players in Major League Gaming earned more than $75,000, and three others had six-figure salaries, largely from endorsements. [18-year-old twin Halo 3 players who have opted to delay going to college to pursue professional gaming careers] Justin and Jason Brown are well on their way; Old Spice recently decided to sponsor their team.

Here's hoping those poor Brown boys don't ever have to get actual jobs.

(Thanks to Mike for pointing out the article!)