EPT
Team MVP, Prime, and LG-IM announced their departure from the eSF, and declined to participate in the next GSTL. ThisIsGame was able to interview the head coaches of each team briefly.
Why did you leave the eSF?
Kang Dong Hoon (IM): It was a choice that helps the team move in a helpful direction, and one that lets us look for progress. In order to leave possibilities as open as possible, we left the eSF.
Park Wae Shik (Prime): Running the team up to now, it was a time where we needed to make a change. I want to focus on solving the team's finances and running the team. It's true we received help from the Federation in many ways, but just looking at the current situation it was time to leave and look for new solutions.
Choi Yoon Sang (MVP): The MVP team motto is "Create a team that gamers want to come to," but I think we just lapsed into mannerisms at a certain point. Instead of staying complacent in the present, we decided to make the decision that would allow us to make the changes needed for progress.
How did the team's financial difficulties factor in?
Park: As it is well known, eSF teams cannot give salaries to players and are in difficult situations financially, unlike the KeSPA teams. Our team, too, was difficultly run up to this point, and sponsorships are the most urgent issue. If KeSPA can help us in this regard, then we could think positively about joining KeSPA.
Does this mean you are joining KeSPA?
Kang: We did not leave eSF in order to join KeSPA. We did receive help from KeSPA regarding the LG case, but that's a different issue from joining KeSPA. I don't know how things will unfold in the future, but we are discussing many things positively with KeSPA at the moment. I plan to leave open all possibilities that could be helpful to the team.
Choi: I don't know what choices will be made in the future, but it will be in the direction that helps the entire MVP team.
It would have been possible to play in the GSTL without being a part of the eSF like in the case of Axiom-Acer. Why have you decided not to participate?
Park: As I mentioned before, it's a time where we need a change, and we decided it would be difficult to participate in the GSTL right now. Revamping the team is the first priority, and we decided it would be the right decision to participate in leagues after we find stability.
Choi: As mentioned before, it's so we can have a time for change. There is no other reason.
There is word of a LoL Proleague in the future. Did that affect your decision?
Kang: No, it's a separate issue. I have no idea when, or in what format the LoL Proleague will open. LoL is popular and is receiving a lot of attention, but this is still a decision for the entire team, including our SC2 players.
Choi: Not at all. I have heard of it through rumors, but I don't know when or how a LoL Proleague would be run.
Prime is looking for LoL players right now. What's the reason for expanding game disciplines at this point?
Park: We were already planning the recently announced LoL recruitment since 3 months ago. LoL has taken its place as the most popular esport in Korea and overseas, and we decided that for a team that seeks to be a top esports team in the world, we must have a LoL squad.
There are rumors that MVP is going to be acquired by Samsung. Is it true? Also, could you talk about the rumors that the SC2 team is being disbanded?
Choi: I can't say specifically, but there are parties we are negotiating with regarding the LoL team. When things are determined, we will announce it. There's no truth to the SC2 team disbanding. We took first place in the regular season of the previous GSTL season, second place in the final rankings, and Duckdeok won the championship at WCS Europe Season 2. Seven of our players (5 in Korea, 2 in Europe) are in the Premier League. I don't know how such a rumor gets out in such a great situation. I would appreciate it if people didn't spread rumors without being absolutely sure.
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