Specifically, they recognize the Legends Championship Sereis (LCS) as on par with the NBA, NFL, etc.
Announcement at 8:10 in this video: http://t.co/cW6gxlrgnK
Edit:
Leigh Smith @RiotDeman said:Another announcement you all maybe missed. The US Governement recognises the #LCS as a Sport on par with NBA,NFL,NHL so pro's get visas now
Announcement at 8:10 in this video: http://t.co/cW6gxlrgnK
Edit:
Bit of clarification:
Professional gamers have been receiving work visas as early as 2007.
LoL players previously applied for a B-1 (business trip) visas for individual tournaments. Since Riot now has a weekly, perpetual, league players can apply for a P-1 visa that lasts while they play in the league.
Calling LoL a sport is a technicality. No other competitive game will have that definition by the US government unless there is a perpetual league for that game that pays salaries to competitors.