Not too long ago there were talks of a player’s union among the top MGOs in the world. This union would offer aid to teams and organizations regarding contracts, prizes, etc., similarly to how any union works. They released a provisionary document detailing their upcoming demands, including a set of rules regarding which tournaments they would enter, and what prize money would satisfy their interest. Unfortunately, nothing of substance ever came from this union, until yesterday… we think.
https://t.co/iJfUzPPQZF #WESA @ESLCS @ESL @natusvincere @TeamVirtuspro @NiPGaming @FNATIC @G2esports @FaZeClan @mousesports @TeamEnVyUs
— Joe Cardali (@tolkienfanatic_) May 10, 2016
The above photo has since been removed from Imgur, but is visible in the tweet.
It’s actually incredible what one leaked photo can do to the internet. Comparable to a celebrity nip slip, a certain printing company released a printed posted with the head WESA and the logos of various teams and the Electronic Sports League. From the image it becomes clear that the teams involved are as follows:
- EnvyUs
- FaZe Clan
- Fnatic
- G2 eSports
- Mousesports
- Natus Vincere
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Team Virtus.Pro
With the notable absence of a few major organizations, it’s easy to deduce that these are the bigger MGOs with a number of titles under their belts, and are perhaps the stepping stones for the World eSports Association.
What about Valve?
All things CS:GO are governed with the inclusion of Valve. ESL may be the biggest eSports league in the world, but it’s hard to believe that any final word or decision regarding CS:GO is made without Valve’s consent. After all, their majors are all Valve sanctioned events. The clear absence of Valve has been an outspoken topic over the past 24 hours, and quite frankly cannot be ignored. If the unlearned reader had to stumble upon the numerous threads popping up on the web, it would become clear that the ESL seem to be the front runners for the association.
Questions have been raised regarding the issue, and the lack of representation from other leagues such as Dreamhack, ESEA and more. It’s doubtful that ESL are looking to monopolize a hold on CS:GO, but we can’t assume much at the moment as Valve have more than likely been communicating with the new organization, but do not wish to publicize this, yet.
There is of course the flip side where Valve have had absolutely no involvement and will step in sooner or later and ban all teams from signing on if it contractually gives ESL any preference over other leagues, which seems to be the general hypothesis from one leaked photo. Naturally some professional players, teams and personalities have expressed their opinions on the matter.
Those teams have lost their mind if that print is what I think it is. Talk about short-sighted and money hungry.
— Thorin (@Thooorin) May 10, 2016
I think a player union would be a good idea right about now.
— Frederik Byskov (@fbyskov) May 10, 2016
Astralis, being one of the newer and self funded CS:GO teams, were notably not on the list.
Curious to hear why @astralisgg, a team that’s co-owned by its players, aren’t involved in a project like this WESA
— Semmler (@OnFireSemmler) May 10, 2016
That about sums it up for now as we eagerly await the official announcement from WESA. After seeing the storm which has erupted from the leak, you cannot help but put your tinfoil hats on and wonder if WESA intentionally leaked the photo to garner a sense of the community’s response before they publish any form of announcement or code of conduct. Very interesting to say the least.
Last Updated: May 11, 2016
oVg whippersnapper
May 11, 2016 at 09:34
Who else has played CRASH BANDICOOT on the PS4? I did yesterday, IT WAS FRKCING GREAT!!!!! 🙂
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 11, 2016 at 10:08
I played ACCIDENT-PRONE KOALA on my PC. Does that count?
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 10:13
Heh, I lolled
HairyEwok
May 11, 2016 at 09:37
Not amazed Virtus is part of the union, they are a Russian team after all XD
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:42
Ok, so what is the tl;dr version of what happened here?
Ottokie
May 11, 2016 at 09:43
Also read it twice, have no idea what’s going on here.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:44
eSperts Wesa thinking bombad?
Ottokie
May 11, 2016 at 09:46
eSports is so complicated to follow.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:47
IKR?
Ottokie
May 11, 2016 at 09:47
I don’t watch cricket or soccer but at least I know whats going on there.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:48
I love watching 5 day cricket……..after eating a massive meal and passing out from boredom and over-indulgence
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:56
So you don’t like cricket?
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 10:01
I like other things more than cricket. The list of other things though, is quite long
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 10:01
Simple no would have been nice, especially for this setup 🙁
https://youtu.be/x1XiJPgB__8?t=51
Raptor Rants
May 11, 2016 at 10:45
Oh no. i love it
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 10:20
While you are sleeping …..
https://youtu.be/8L5PqL4ylIU?t=223
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 11:06
My wife shows me boobies, don’t need to see them on TV like that
HairyEwok
May 11, 2016 at 09:48
eSports will change if more players join the WESA union… Imagine eSports as South Africa, and look what union has done. Players will demand increase of prize pools and better play conditions, and if they do not get what they ask for they will strike or boycott whichever event that said screw you XD
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:49
..and burn servers and then complain there is no servers
Ottokie
May 11, 2016 at 09:50
Thanks for summarizing that 😛
I don’t watch this nonsense, so nothing lost nothing gained.
Her Highness the Hipster
May 11, 2016 at 09:45
they’re unionizing. toi toi-ing can’t be far, unless Valve acts like Margaret Thatcher and crushes the union.
… i think.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:46
I’ve NEVER heard of a union being effective/good/worthy
So I hope Valve crushes this idea (I think, if I understand it correctly)
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:48
When you do not hear anything about them they are effective.
South African unions is the way not to do it
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:49
Yeah, I guess my view on unions is warped because of all the idiot unions here and how they completely walk over their members while taking a shitload of money from them
It disgusts me to my core
Pariah
May 11, 2016 at 09:57
Unions around the world are better. Conditions in workplaces in Britain in my industry are particularly good because of unions. But they don’t burn down schools and shit if there is an issue. They discuss it like adults do.
miaau
May 11, 2016 at 10:58
that is not true, several unions are very quiet and just carry on being unions. Pity some of the biggest are so politicised
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:47
The players are rallying against the gaming sweatshop master.
No longer will young innocent gamers be forced to play CS:GO for hours on end in dark musty basements making nothing unless they win a tournament.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:47
Ahh, but they will be making less though, since union taking a slice of the pie?
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:48
STOP BEING COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 09:50
BLARRIE AGENT! DOWN WITH UNIONS! UP WITH PIES!
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:51
WHAT DO WE WANT?
NEW OVERPRICED DIGITAL WEAPONS!!!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT???
Next update? Yes next update or the one after that. Yes that is good.
CongoKyle
May 11, 2016 at 11:22
WESA are a players union, but ESL are a part of it (biggest tournament host). People are saying ESL are trying to gain control. Valve has no involvement (or do they?). Why aren’t there more teams? People are upset and putting on their tinfoil hats.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 11, 2016 at 12:42
Got it, tx
HvR
May 11, 2016 at 09:52
They should get Francis to be their spokesperson.
Dane
May 13, 2016 at 10:22
But can it run Crysis?