49ers star has big retirement plan after investing in industry projected to be worth $12bn by 2033

NFL veteran Brandon Parker might not be a regular on the field these days, but he’s certainly making a splash in the world of gaming.

The offensive tackle hasn’t made a regular season appearance since 2023, when he played with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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In the years since, he has bounced between practice squads for the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

Heading into 2026, he’s back in the Bay Area on a veteran’s minimum deal, where he will likely settle for being a backup plan to rookie OT Enrique Cruz Jr on a roster that has overcome plenty of injury issues.

But with his pro-football career winding down, Parker has turned his attention to esports instead.

NFL veteran goes big on billion-dollar industry

Parker is an investor in Valhallan, an esports franchise that trains children in competitive gaming.

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The company believes that video games can be more than just entertainment, and sees them as a powerful tool for personal growth and community building.

Parker previously played his football close to the Valhallan headquarters, in Las Vegas.

The franchise has quickly become one of the largest and fastest-growing teams in the world, and now has arenas across the country.

Owners play a key role in providing a positive, structured environment where young players can thrive.

“The kids gaming looked exactly how I used to look when gaming with my friends,” Parker said of his investment in 2024.

“I knew right then, I wanted to be a part of it.”

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Since then, the NFL vet has put money into 16 Valhallan locations across the US, as part of investment group ESA Holdings.

“Gaming is a $2.7 billion global business, and it’s going to continue to grow,” he added.

How much will esports be worth in the coming years?

And grow it will.

The global esports industry is valued as high as $5.1bn in 2026, and according to a report from Grand View Research (GVR), has a market forecast of $12bn by 2033.

Growth is primarily driven by the increasing live streaming of games, rising audience reach, and infrastructure for league tournaments, GVR reports.

The growing popularity of mobile gaming and the ‘widespread availability’ of high-speed internet have also significantly contributed to increased esports participation and viewership.

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Parker believes the industry’s anticipated longevity is a contrast to that of most NFL careers. Ahead of the 2026 season, Parker has started 33 games across his eight-year career in the league to date.

Niners legend Steve Young, meanwhile, took his second career in an entirely different, and very lucrative, direction.

“The NFL stands for Not For Long,” Parker joked in 2024.

“So, once I have to close this chapter in my life, I’m hoping to pick up gaming more.”

As an active NFL star, Parker has a team around him that helps run the esports franchise.

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That group includes CEO Morris Jackson, COO Ben Arave, and wife Dominique, who serves as CMO. The latter continues to be a source of motivation on account of her business tenacity.

“She’s the one that’s going into different cities, looking at different locations, and trying to really help advance things,” Parker explained.

“In the meantime, it’s allowed me to focus on football.”