Halp

There are four interrelated parties to the progaming scene.

1. KESPA - the overseeing organization.

The Korean E-Sports Association oversees all progaming in Korea. To run a tournament, the broadcasters need Kespa approval. This means the games follow Kespa rules, there is always a Kespa referee present, and the players and teams must be registered with Kespa to participate.

2. The Braodcasters/Leagues

Currently, there are three leagues, each with their own structure.

a. MSL (and Survivor League). The MSL is organized and funded by MBCgame. MBCgame is a cable channel that specializes in game-related programming. They fund and organize their own tournament as original created content for their channel. The MSL has the approval and supervision of Kespa. Only Kespa-registered progamers can participate. This model is the same as the DirecTV/Counter-strike model you mention.

b. OSL (and Dual League). Up till last year, OSL was also organized and funded by the cable channel it was broadcasted on - Ongamenet. However, beginning this year, Shinhan Bank stepped in to co-sponsor the funding duties. The Current OSL is under the funding of Shinhan Bank. Ongamenet's responsibility is to run and broadcast the thing. It's sort of like the NFL - ESPN relationship, except Ongamenet is more invovled in the actual running of the tournament. Like the MSL, the OSL is Kespa-approved.

c. Proleague. The proleague is entirely run by Kespa, and broadcasted on Ongamenet and MBCgame. The relationship between proleague and the TV channels is exactly like NFL and network television.

[edit]
d. forgot to mention SuperFights. Superfights are also organized by a cable channel: CJ Media. So the structure is alike to MSL - organized and funded by the same channel that the games are shown on. And with the Kespa stamp of approval.


3. The Teams.

To become a proleague team, you must register at Kespa. There are a few requirements, namely a minimum required number of players, a registered coach and assistant coach, guaranteed practice facilities, and a yearly payment to the Kespa fund.

Currently, all 11 progaming teams are being sponsored by parent companies. These companies range from non-gaming-specific household Korean brands (SKT, KTF, CJ) to smaller gaming-specific companies (MBCgame, Hanbit Sotfware, E-Stro). Why do companies pay yearly salaries to progamers? Mostly for the advertising effec (think of F1 racing). Also, companies that sponsor progaming teams get some tax breaks for their contributions from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

4. Players.

Kespa rules offer a few specific ways to earn progamer status. You can pass the Monthly Courage Tournament (I guess it's sort of like passing bar to be a lawyer). You can place high in a minimum number of amateur tournaments to get semi-pro status. Or one of the teams can use their exceptions (each team has 2 per year) to select you to their roster. Of course, you must be very skilled to get a team to use their exception on you. (such as a prominent practice partner)


How does the money flow?

Kespa gets money from each of the proteams. It also gets money from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Or was it the Ministry of InfoTech... can't remember. Either one)

The Tournaments get money from their sponsors. For examply, last MSL was called "PRINGLES MSL." P&G Korea paid good money to MSL to have their name there. In turn, they dish out appearance fees and tournament winnings.

The Broadcasters get money from the advertising revenue that they get while showing the tournaments. In theory, they should pay the tournament organizers for the rights to show their games. But, in the case of the MSL, and OSL, the tournament organizers ARE the broadcasters.

The Teams get prize money from winning tournaments, plus an appearance fee for each game they play on TV. Teams also get much money from their corporate sponsors. At the same time, each team must pay a tax to Kespa.

The Players get prize money and appearance fees as well. Players on sponsored teams also receive fixed salaries from their parent companies. In many cases, there will be incentives written into the players' contracts, so they will get extra money for winning tournaments or MVP awards and such.

On March 11 2010 15:00 MrHoon wrote:
fuck I lost to a guy who posts 1 per day.

On March 11 2010 15:03 Grobyc wrote:
oh snap

edit: if you check his profile it's not even 1 per day.

Average Posts Per Day 0.78