TSL staff, your decision is a hastily done mistake

On February 10 2010 14:59 TL.net Bot wrote:


<font size=3>Tarson Penalized For Leaking Results</font>

It has come to our attention that Tarson spoiled the results of his Ro16 match with Nony by posting on a Polish forum. These posts happened immediately after his match with Nony and several hours before the TSL Ro16 Broadcast that showed his games.

Tarson's Posts
(Translation from Polish included):
+ Show Spoiler [Show Posts] +
We understand the frustration and anger that comes with losing, especially in the way that Tarson lost. However, it does not excuse a player's actions. Here, the results were leaked in a Polish forum accessible by many people. While Tarson initially argued that he did not technically reveal results, what he said essentially gives away the final result of the series and encourages people not to watch. Later, Tarson admitted what he posted was incorrect, and issued an apology to us:



Normally, we would simply punish the player by taking away his prize money. However, this is the first incident we've had, and taking into consideration Tarson's apology, we feel that a 50% prize reduction ($125 penalty) is more appropriate. The penalized money will be donated to a charity to be determined later. This action is not about the actual monetary amount, but more about sending a message that leaking results is a serious offense. Temporary anger or frustration after a loss does not mean a player escapes responsibility for his own choices and actions.

For those that feel the penalty is still too harsh, remember that the TSL can only exist if results are not leaked by players. The players earn their prizes not only because they win, but because they generate a quality product for our advertisers. Spoiling results to anyone is one of the most damaging things a player can do to our broadcast. It greatly harms the TSL and our ability to secure sponsorship for future tournaments. Players were informed prior to the TSL that any spoilers would result in possible forfeiture of their prize money.

It is unfortunate that we were forced to do this. Aside from this one incident, Tarson was an exemplary player and dealt with us very professionally. However, we will not hesitate to punish future leaks with a full revocation of prize money. Hopefully, now that this incident is resolved, we will not have to do this in the future.

--TSL Staff

On February 10 2010 18:09 {88}iNcontroL wrote:
YES

Bout friggin time someone started punishing for these kind of things.

"Too harsh" bullshit. This is a HUGE tourney and Tarson KNEW he wasn't supposed to do that but he let his emotions get the best of him. I'm tired of the general scbw community wanting a slap on the wrist for these kind of things.. bring the fucking hammer.

GW tl

On February 11 2010 06:12 Rekrul wrote:
beetlelisk:

A breach of contract is a breach of contract. It is irrelevant if what Tarson did actually caused any harm or not. It's about the implications that such behavior that could potentially damage the event. You're right, it is indeed very minor of an offense especially in this case especially how it was posted on such an obscure forum using a language hardly anybody speaks only a short time before the broadcasts. But the fact of the matter is SC tournaments / ladders have gone on far too long without any self-protection and finally TL.net is taking steps to ensure the integrity and entertainment value of it's own tournament along with setting precedent and making an example for other tournaments to come. TL.net has always been a very simple user-oriented site but with many companies like pokerstrategy willing to put up huge prizes on the horizon (sc2 etc) it's important to act more professionally and hold to the contract/rules to a T unless special circumstances arise.

I know what you're trying to argue right now is that these are special circumstances as results were pretty much not spoiled for anyone at all and he didn't say anything exactly and it was language bs blah blah. You also said TL.net is trying to find 'scapegoats.' You are completely wrong. In TL's explanation of the matter they clearly stated that they have sympathy for Tarson and realize what he did was a simple mistake in the heat of the moment. Adding to that they only removed 50% of his prize money instead of 100% which they were totally in their right to do seeing as how he was completely in breach of contract.

If you walk around town shooting a silenced gun in the air for fun with no intention of harming anyone and no one sees you you're not going to get in trouble. That doesn't mean what you're doing isn't wrong and that you won't be punished in the event you're caught.