Abstract: Using framing analysis and discourse analysis, the present paper examines the trend, frames and discourse practice in e-sports news coverage over the past two decades from 2001 to 2019 and discusses how news coverage has constructedthe legitimacy of e-sports. The results show that positive news coverage one-sports has become the dominant trend over the past 2 decades. Framing analysis reveals that five frames, i.e "unknown territory", "industrial economy", "focus of controversy", "sports events", "industrialtrends"have been used to conceptualize the image and development of e-sports in China, and constructed the image of e-sports in media. Among them, "industrial economy", "sports events", and "industrialtrends"are the major frames have been used to construct the legitimacy of e-sports. Discourse analysis shows that news media have constructed the two main discourses of "industry" and "event"about e-sportsand expressed through such rhetorical devices as metaphor and intertextuality the opinion that e-sports has promoted the development of sports and economy, thereby constructing the legitimacy of e-sports. It is proposed that news media should present the image of e-sports in an objective and comprehensive way. On one hand, the positive image of e-sports should be presented in media to change its social perception of being stigmatized; on the other hand, the shortcomings of e-sports industry should be reported to promote its improvement and standardization.