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During 2014, Team Spectre managed to grow at a very rapid rate, from a mid-high master level, competitive, but non-professional StarCraft2 team to a major recognized by TeamLiquid professional StarCraft2 team, with players like AlaStOr, Revolver, Majestic, sLh, Arthur and lately even JYP.
This was all possible financial wise, because of our main sponsor Stanislav Petrov, a very kind and passionate man from Russia and also a StarCraft2 player and fan himself. He supported Team Spectre from the beginning of February, where we recruited a medium strong Grandmaster level roster and managed to win RSTL 4, with a victory against Vega Squadron's main roster.
We grew to become used with this growing rate, and this summer we recruited Arthur and JYP, two very bright korean players, which I believe have a lot of potential to show even more results than they already proved. We were extremely happy to reach this far and to be the proud hosts for JYP and Arthur.
The problem is, our sponsor Stanislav Petrov is gone missing since 6 days. I have proof of talking with him 6 days ago, when he said he will pay in 1-2 days JYP's full Dreamhack LAN, that also being the last time he was seen online on WhatsApp. Me being the founder, CEO and manager of Team Spectre, this absence got me very very impatiented and worried, that JYP might not attend Dreamhack Valencia. And I think this will be the case, as even in this very day our main sponsor hasn't replied back.
This is not like him at all. He may have avoided to answer our players in the past when they were asking about their salaries, but he never failed to answer me or to give me a heads up, especially for important things. I think something serious might have happen to him, but I still hope he will be alright and come back, with a reasonable explanation of course, for why JYP now cannot attent Dreamhack Valencia.
Until then, we wanted to make this official statement, so that everybody knows that the future of Team Spectre, at least professional side, is very shaky and we're looking for possible new main sponsors, or even sponsors willing to continue sponsoring our current players, under any name whatsoever.
We are constient about our image being altered and of how the community will see us beginning with now, but we're willing to make these declarations and we promise they're not lies. Why would we do such a thing or why would I do such a thing, after working so careful and proud for this team so far? I would never accept just simply dissapearing like LYGF or Quantic.
We shall stand our grounds, even if it means being a bit hated for a while by the community (or at least the part of the community that sees that this is really not our fault) or even failing to find a new main sponsor for these talented stars and losing our professional side altogether. Either way, we will not give up.
We are truly sorry and we hope this turns out good in the end somehow, or at least we hope that the community will understand why what happened is bad and that this really isn't the team's fault or my fault as the founder, CEO and manager of Team Spectre, nor my partner's fault, Hyper.
If anyone out there wishes to take over Stanislav Petrov's job as the main sponsor of Team Spectre, we're willing to move forward, even stronger than before, with more experience and more awareness that these sort of things might happen if we're too naive.
Kindest regards,
Team Spectre CEOs
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It sucks when the people you depend on wind up disappearing on you. You guys are a good organization, and I sincerely hope you find someone dependable to help your players for the future.
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Oh god, not this again  Wish you guys all the best in any case, as this seems like a pretty sincere apology.
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tbh i expected it i think i call csc next TT
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Damn, good to see active pursuing of trying to fix things but this looks like an extremely tough situation to be in. Best of luck Spectre.
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Unfortunate, I wish you the best of luck in finding a new sponsor or (doubtfully) reconnecting with your current one. I wonder if JYP was enticed by the possibility of a higher salary/more events guaranteed by your sponsor as opposed to EG, or was there perhaps another reason behind his leaving?
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There is enough in your post to massively criticise your management skills. Instead, some advice.
a) diversify your sponsorship.
b) reevaluate the financial aspects of your team if you are going to make doomsday posts after having not been payed for 6 days.
c) make payment arrangements which provide consistency and not hand-to-mouth payments.
d) are you a charity or a hopefully profitable team business?
hoping for the best
regards.
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On July 17 2014 05:19 Mojito99 wrote:
There is enough in your post to massively criticise your management skills. Instead, some advice.
a) diversify your sponsorship.
b) reevaluate the financial aspects of your team if you are going to make doomsday posts after having not been payed for 6 days.
c) make payment arrangements which provide consistency and not hand-to-mouth payments.
d) are you a charity or a hopefully profitable team business?
hoping for the best
regards.
These types of posts typically come from people who have taken like a business 101 class, but besides that have no actual real-life business practice, yet alone has any clue how it is operate an Sc2-team. It's always a ton easier to criticise other people when you don't understand how the world functions.
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damn, i hope everything turns out ok
was really hyped fo JYP!
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He may have avoided to answer our players in the past when they were asking about their salaries, but he never failed to answer me or to give me a heads up, especially for important things
Wait what, so players asking about ther salaries isn't important? major warning goin off in my head there.
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It seems like a reasonable post until the end. If you made promises to players and broke them, it is your fault regardless of sponsorship issues.
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6 days isn't too long. Hopefully he turns up and all your questions are answered.
Sucks to hear about JYP though.
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On July 17 2014 05:32 Hider wrote:Show nested quote +On July 17 2014 05:19 Mojito99 wrote:
There is enough in your post to massively criticise your management skills. Instead, some advice.
a) diversify your sponsorship.
b) reevaluate the financial aspects of your team if you are going to make doomsday posts after having not been payed for 6 days.
c) make payment arrangements which provide consistency and not hand-to-mouth payments.
d) are you a charity or a hopefully profitable team business?
hoping for the best
regards. These types of posts typically come from people who have taken like a business 101 class, but besides that have no actual real-life business practice, yet alone has any clue how it is operate an Sc2-team. It's always a ton easier to criticise other people when you don't understand how the world functions.
the same argument can be made in response to your post.
Those points should apply to operating an SCII Team, after all you said it correctly, its business 1-0-1.
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darn wtf is this so many teams getting scammed these days.
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On July 17 2014 06:00 SCguineapig wrote:
darn wtf is this so many teams getting scammed these days.
Spectre didn't exactly get scammed. It's not like a company refused to pay in exchange for exposure from the team and broke a contract.
Their investor who they don't really know too well just stopped paying and went silent. Hopefully things get figured out, but relying on one person outside of the organization (who they don't have direct contact to) to fund everything is a risky way to run a team.
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On July 17 2014 06:00 Mojito99 wrote:Show nested quote +On July 17 2014 05:32 Hider wrote:On July 17 2014 05:19 Mojito99 wrote:
There is enough in your post to massively criticise your management skills. Instead, some advice.
a) diversify your sponsorship.
b) reevaluate the financial aspects of your team if you are going to make doomsday posts after having not been payed for 6 days.
c) make payment arrangements which provide consistency and not hand-to-mouth payments.
d) are you a charity or a hopefully profitable team business?
hoping for the best
regards. These types of posts typically come from people who have taken like a business 101 class, but besides that have no actual real-life business practice, yet alone has any clue how it is operate an Sc2-team. It's always a ton easier to criticise other people when you don't understand how the world functions. the same argument can be made in response to your post. Those points should apply to operating an SCII Team, after all you said it correctly, its business 1-0-1.
Well point was that just after/during I took my 101 class I made a lot of posts like you did thinking I was smarter than 99% of anyone else. Then over a couple of years, you learned that the world isn't as simple as you previously made it out to be.
Difference between you and I is that I don't go around criticsing/giving advice in situations that I actually have a very poor understanding of. Especially because I can see theoretical reasons for why it's not realistic to diversify business's/demanding earlier payments for some esports team. 101 class's doesn't teach you about that.
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On July 17 2014 06:16 Hider wrote:Show nested quote +On July 17 2014 06:00 Mojito99 wrote:On July 17 2014 05:32 Hider wrote:On July 17 2014 05:19 Mojito99 wrote:
There is enough in your post to massively criticise your management skills. Instead, some advice.
a) diversify your sponsorship.
b) reevaluate the financial aspects of your team if you are going to make doomsday posts after having not been payed for 6 days.
c) make payment arrangements which provide consistency and not hand-to-mouth payments.
d) are you a charity or a hopefully profitable team business?
hoping for the best
regards. These types of posts typically come from people who have taken like a business 101 class, but besides that have no actual real-life business practice, yet alone has any clue how it is operate an Sc2-team. It's always a ton easier to criticise other people when you don't understand how the world functions. the same argument can be made in response to your post. Those points should apply to operating an SCII Team, after all you said it correctly, its business 1-0-1. Well point was that just after/during I took my 101 class I made a lot of posts like you did thinking I was smarter than 99% of anyone else. Then over a couple of years, you learned that the world isn't as simple as you previously made it out to be. Difference between you and I is that I don't go around criticsing/giving advice in situations that I actually have a very poor understanding of. Especially because I can see theoretical reasons for why it's not realistic to diversify business's/demanding earlier payments for some esports team. 101 class's doesn't teach you about that.
I don't think it was his intention to make the situation sound simple.
In fact, all his advice from a-d are pretty sound advice. He never once said that the following the advice is simple or easy.
Diversifying sponsorship essential means don't rely on only one sponsor. However, we all agree getting even one sponsor is a difficult task.
His second point is about how much money does the team still have, and how long will it last. That is just as difficult as the first. Managing a team without a financial plan is ludicrous.
Asking for payment arrangements from sponsors is incredibly important, and equally as difficult. Perhaps if you are a big name in esports, you can demand payment from sponsors, but teams like Spectre aren't established household names yet. They need the numbers and audience before they can go to sponsors with gusto. This is business, and the transaction of money is the centre of it all. Secure that transaction as early as possible, and regularly. However, backup each transaction with proof that your sponsors are getting a ROI.
His last question about charity or profit is incredibly important, but simple to answer. I don't see it as advice, but maybe his intention was to provide further assistance if the OP replied back.
Is his advice perfect in every situation? Of course not, but he never said the advice was a catch-all. His advice was in context to Spectre's situation. Is it sound in that situation? I believe it so. I could be wrong, but on the internet everyone has an opinion.
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On topic, I hope things work out for you guys. I've never watched any games of yours, but was happy you pickedup JYP so I may watch.
Good luck with sponsors.
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I'm sorry but as the CEO you need to take some responsibility. So many of these threads, yet no discussion of contracts, etc. As CEO you should look out for the well being of your players. A single investor with no contract and/or assurances, i'm sorry for the struggle.
Good luck to you guys.
On July 17 2014 05:32 Hider wrote:
These types of posts typically come from people who have taken like a business 101 class, but besides that have no actual real-life business practice, yet alone has any clue how it is operate an Sc2-team. It's always a ton easier to criticise other people when you don't understand how the world functions.
Also, Hinder. I don't understand your view.. Do you really think in the real world (as you so eloquently say) CEO's get spared because some investor went silent? It's not like we are crushing the guy, just trying to help him. Coming on to TL and bashing the guy and giving out his name, isn't professional, no matter how many classes you have taken. For crying out loud, the guy has been silent for 6 whole days. Maybe he is just on vacation..
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EPT
