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ProLeague Broadcast Rights Controversy - Page 3

Forum Index > News
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iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
February 21 2007 02:38 GMT
#41
yikes
Pressure
Profile Blog Joined October 2006
7326 Posts
February 21 2007 03:29 GMT
#42
On February:35 yubee wrote:
[image loading]

kespa is fucking retarded - uhjoo
GG-Mazor
Profile Joined August 2003
Sweden330 Posts
February 21 2007 03:44 GMT
#43
Very well written and well formulated news post. Thanks for the information!
Gokey
Profile Joined November 2006
United States2722 Posts
February 21 2007 03:49 GMT
#44
thanks for the info guys... this is big news indeed... =(
LegendzS
Profile Joined January 2007
Canada68 Posts
February 21 2007 03:55 GMT
#45
On February 21 2007 07:38 uhjoo wrote:
My personal opinion, of course, is that KeSPA is fucking retarded.

A good analogy about this situation is sort of like this:

Two guys, OGN and MBC, start separate lemonade stands. In the beginning, the lemonade is really unusual so no one buys, but as time goes on it catches fire. So then they decide to invite a third guy, KeSPA, to help them coordinate one big profitable lemonade stand. When this stand starts getting really big, KeSPA says, hey, if you want to keep selling lemonade, you have to pay me. OGN and MBC say who the fuck are you, eat me, we made this lemonade stand happen, you hardly did anything. KeSPA then says I'm going to let a third guy, IEG, sell the lemonade from now on, because he paid me.

Something like this.


well, where theres money... greed is soon to follow.
good day, new year, see ya later.
{CC}StealthBlue
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States41117 Posts
February 21 2007 04:40 GMT
#46
If this fell through, there would be Europe's chance to start esports anew.
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules."
Tarte
Profile Joined October 2006
Canada933 Posts
February 21 2007 04:57 GMT
#47
Hmm that's a pretty terrible news -_-, hope things will go in a positive way tho.
L O V E Y O U
Vin{MBL}
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
5185 Posts
February 21 2007 05:29 GMT
#48
baadaadd
muramasa
Profile Joined March 2005
Canada1299 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-02-21 07:17:44
February 21 2007 06:33 GMT
#49
Sounds like a real bitch move by KeSPA. So, KeSPA basically owns the name ProLeague, but it's the networks who do all the work. And now they're trying to leverage that fact to make some money?

Would it be possible, if some sort of compromise is not made, for OGN and MBC to tell KeSPA to fuck off and continue running the league under a different name? They have a pretty strong position to begin with considering they have all the experience and MBC happens to own the ProLeague champions.

The only way that KeSPA could possibly be in the right here, with regards to auctioning off the broadcast rights, would be if they reimbursed OGN and MBC for all the money the networks spent on building the infrastructure.
Hong Jin Ho. Nevar forget.
IEGbrooks
Profile Joined February 2007
Korea (South)9 Posts
February 21 2007 08:32 GMT
#50
To all who have posted in this thread:

I am the International Business Manager for IEG. I'm also an American working here in Korea. I think you guys are overreacting completely about this situation. You all have to understand that KeSPA is the governing body of e-Sports in Korea. They have every right to 'professionalize' e-Sports by making it more competitive or in this case, selling content rights. I don't know about you guys, but a media organization whether its online, print or TV, should never hold power over a league. It creates too many problems. Yes, both OGN and MBCGame can be attributed with the explosion of professional gaming and really gave competitive StarCraft the boost it needed by putting it on TV.

KeSPA was created to govern e-Sports with support from KGDI (Korea Game Development Institute, which is a branch of the Korean Government). These companies gave KeSPA the power to do this sort of thing..competition is a very healthy thing in any sport. Every company involved in KeSPA and e-Sports understands that in order for e-Sports to be professional, it has to be a standalone governing body that has no other motives besides making e-Sports better here in Korea. MBCGame and OGN could have bid on the rights if they wanted to. We even had a second bidding because the first one OGN and MBC declined to bid. Everything done so far has been done to create a more competitive atmosphere. We aren't just trying to muscle out OGN and MBC. There is a bidding process for each game since there is now enough games a week to make it similar to baseball where different TV stations bid for the games they want. I can't stress enough how wrong you guys are about Proleague dying. We are trying to reinvigorate the StarCraft community by spreading the Proleague contents to the US and Europe, whether its online or TV. We are working on getting StarCraft hosted at other major events (besides just WCG) as well as creating a new StarCraft league that players in North America, South America, Asia and Europe can all participate in.

We care about expanding e-Sports globally and this is only the first step. I hope you guys change your mind about this whole situation being so grave for Proleague. It will carry on as it has and continue to get better.

If any of you here would like some answers and are willing to have an intelligent discussion about this, feel free to email me at stuart@iegroup.co.kr.

No flaming please. Only intelligent responses.

Stuart Brooks | International Business Manager
International E-Sports Group Inc
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
February 21 2007 08:38 GMT
#51
If KeSPA is an extension of the corporate sponsors of the pro teams, I'm sure they--the sponsors--all still want their salaried employees (the progamers) to be seen on TV, or else it'd be a waste of money. I'm sure that when the dust settles, we'll still have Proleague games to watch.

I just hope there's no standoff or reduction in quality.
flammie
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
61 Posts
February 21 2007 08:49 GMT
#52
On February 21 2007 17:32 IEGbrooks wrote:
We are trying to reinvigorate the StarCraft community by spreading the Proleague contents to the US and Europe, whether its online or TV. We are working on getting StarCraft hosted at other major events (besides just WCG) as well as creating a new StarCraft league that players in North America, South America, Asia and Europe can all participate in.

We care about expanding e-Sports globally and this is only the first step. I hope you guys change your mind about this whole situation being so grave for Proleague. It will carry on as it has and continue to get better.


If not even Korean TV stations are willing to pay for the rights to Proleague, you're going to have zero chance of other media outlets in other countries willing to pay for Proleague or any other kind of starcraft league.
muramasa
Profile Joined March 2005
Canada1299 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-02-21 08:51:55
February 21 2007 08:51 GMT
#53
Thanks for providing more information Stuart. We generally get all our information here second hand, because of the language barrier, and this is a fairly confusing situation to begin with. It's only natural that we get scared/paranoid when we think we may be losing our ProLeague.

As I see things now, it still seems like OGN and MBC are getting the short end of the stick. Their investment in pro gaming thus far has been larger than the rest of the sponsors put together (except for maybe KTF and CJ) and now they're losing the broadcasting rights to the event they created. Doesn't seem fair.
Hong Jin Ho. Nevar forget.
IEGbrooks
Profile Joined February 2007
Korea (South)9 Posts
February 21 2007 08:55 GMT
#54
The negotiation with MBC and OGN has been going on for weeks now. This is business and Proleague has consistently been the most watched and most followed league in Korea. We are not trying to screw OGN or MBC into paying an obscene amount of money. This new arrangement is how it should have been since the beginning of professional StarCraft.

Also to whomever said OGN and MBC run the league..they have not done so in a few years. KeSPA referees all of the matches, provides the controller of spectator mode and actually allowed Ongamenet to use the IPARK Stadium.

Whether you guys think its wrong that MBC and OGN no longer have control, it's how it should be and is the only way to further expand e-Sports.
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33584 Posts
February 21 2007 08:57 GMT
#55
That would make sense if it was actually KeSPA that was planning, producing, and funding the entire Pro League (it's not).

OGN managed to get big Proleague sponsors in the past when it was running it alone, remember SKY ?
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
IEGbrooks
Profile Joined February 2007
Korea (South)9 Posts
February 21 2007 09:06 GMT
#56
Waxangel -

KeSPA plans the league and each team in KeSPA funds all of the operational costs as well as the government of Korea giving financial support. KeSPA handles all sponsorships of Proleague.
Commentator
Profile Joined February 2007
United States43 Posts
February 21 2007 09:11 GMT
#57
I'm not very business-minded, so excuse me if this is quite naive. Is IEG basically just a middle man between KeSPA and the media (in this case, television)? What role does IEG play exactly? How does IEG stand to profit from buying the rights and reselling them? If MBC and OGN actually bid, and IEG ended up winning anyway, IEG couldn't expect to sell the rights to MBC/OGN for more than the bid. I'm guessing IEG pays more for the rights, then sells them cheaper but involves other burdens on the media organization, that in the end make it worth it for IEG. But I really have no idea, or what those other burdens would be exactly anyway.

Also, IEGbrooks, if you could say anything more about any plans to bring StarCraft outside of Korea, this forum would be very very grateful. However if you can't get into specifics, we'll live.

Thanks
d4d
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
Switzerland1066 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-02-21 09:52:53
February 21 2007 09:36 GMT
#58
On February 21 2007 17:32 IEGbrooks wrote:
To all who have posted in this thread:

I am the International Business Manager for IEG. I'm also an American working here in Korea. I think you guys are overreacting completely about this situation. You all have to understand that KeSPA is the governing body of e-Sports in Korea. They have every right to 'professionalize' e-Sports by making it more competitive or in this case, selling content rights. I don't know about you guys, but a media organization whether its online, print or TV, should never hold power over a league. It creates too many problems. Yes, both OGN and MBCGame can be attributed with the explosion of professional gaming and really gave competitive StarCraft the boost it needed by putting it on TV.

KeSPA was created to govern e-Sports with support from KGDI (Korea Game Development Institute, which is a branch of the Korean Government). These companies gave KeSPA the power to do this sort of thing..competition is a very healthy thing in any sport. Every company involved in KeSPA and e-Sports understands that in order for e-Sports to be professional, it has to be a standalone governing body that has no other motives besides making e-Sports better here in Korea. MBCGame and OGN could have bid on the rights if they wanted to. We even had a second bidding because the first one OGN and MBC declined to bid. Everything done so far has been done to create a more competitive atmosphere. We aren't just trying to muscle out OGN and MBC. There is a bidding process for each game since there is now enough games a week to make it similar to baseball where different TV stations bid for the games they want. I can't stress enough how wrong you guys are about Proleague dying. We are trying to reinvigorate the StarCraft community by spreading the Proleague contents to the US and Europe, whether its online or TV. We are working on getting StarCraft hosted at other major events (besides just WCG) as well as creating a new StarCraft league that players in North America, South America, Asia and Europe can all participate in.

We care about expanding e-Sports globally and this is only the first step. I hope you guys change your mind about this whole situation being so grave for Proleague. It will carry on as it has and continue to get better.

If any of you here would like some answers and are willing to have an intelligent discussion about this, feel free to email me at stuart@iegroup.co.kr.

No flaming please. Only intelligent responses.

Stuart Brooks | International Business Manager
International E-Sports Group Inc


Just wow...

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Man. you rule at PR!
luck is not a factor
TL+ Member
uhjoo
Profile Joined October 2004
Korea (South)1740 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-02-21 10:09:48
February 21 2007 10:02 GMT
#59
Stuart,

Thanks for bringing your input here and clearing up any misconceptions.

If you could answer a few questions:

1) Do you believe the Proleague is ready for competitive bidding for broadcast rights? People go to OGN or MBC to watch Proleague games. Will we have to search around, skipping from channel to channel to watch Proleague games?

2) Although only the Proleague is subject to this issue currently, is IEG or KeSPA or anyone else (even KGDI) planning to try to open up broadcast right bidding for the Starleagues?

3) Is there any potential at all for a halting or suspension of the Proleague?

4) You seem to be saying that KeSPA is already in charge, more or less, of the Proleague. Public opinion believes that OGN/MBC do the lion's share of the day to day work. How ready, really, is KeSPA to take over the planning and running of the Proleagues? Can OGN/MBC really just sit back, provide nothing but a film crew and commentators, and broadcast content?

5) Please clarify what exactly IEG's role is/will be. It's quite confusing.

5) How transparent can you be (i.e. how much information can you disclose) about the negotiation process with OGN/MBC? Since you would ostensibly have a seat at the table, can you or anyone inform us what exactly is going on, and what the key issues are, what the possible solutions are?

Our most obvious concern, as fans, is that the Proleague content doesn't die, and that it doesn't get diminished in scope or in scale.
i want bubbles the warrior monkey back
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11595 Posts
February 21 2007 10:10 GMT
#60
On February 21 2007 17:32 IEGbrooks wrote:
To all who have posted in this thread:

I am the International Business Manager for IEG. I'm also an American working here in Korea. I think you guys are overreacting completely about this situation. You all have to understand that KeSPA is the governing body of e-Sports in Korea. They have every right to 'professionalize' e-Sports by making it more competitive or in this case, selling content rights. I don't know about you guys, but a media organization whether its online, print or TV, should never hold power over a league. It creates too many problems. Yes, both OGN and MBCGame can be attributed with the explosion of professional gaming and really gave competitive StarCraft the boost it needed by putting it on TV.

KeSPA was created to govern e-Sports with support from KGDI (Korea Game Development Institute, which is a branch of the Korean Government). These companies gave KeSPA the power to do this sort of thing..competition is a very healthy thing in any sport. Every company involved in KeSPA and e-Sports understands that in order for e-Sports to be professional, it has to be a standalone governing body that has no other motives besides making e-Sports better here in Korea. MBCGame and OGN could have bid on the rights if they wanted to. We even had a second bidding because the first one OGN and MBC declined to bid. Everything done so far has been done to create a more competitive atmosphere. We aren't just trying to muscle out OGN and MBC. There is a bidding process for each game since there is now enough games a week to make it similar to baseball where different TV stations bid for the games they want. I can't stress enough how wrong you guys are about Proleague dying. We are trying to reinvigorate the StarCraft community by spreading the Proleague contents to the US and Europe, whether its online or TV. We are working on getting StarCraft hosted at other major events (besides just WCG) as well as creating a new StarCraft league that players in North America, South America, Asia and Europe can all participate in.

We care about expanding e-Sports globally and this is only the first step. I hope you guys change your mind about this whole situation being so grave for Proleague. It will carry on as it has and continue to get better.

If any of you here would like some answers and are willing to have an intelligent discussion about this, feel free to email me at stuart@iegroup.co.kr.

No flaming please. Only intelligent responses.

Stuart Brooks | International Business Manager
International E-Sports Group Inc


I will definetly participate. thanks for asking
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