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Korean SC2 Salary Cap Collusion Revealed

Forum Index > SC2 General
148 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next All
TL.net ESPORTS
Profile Joined July 2011
4 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-11-22 07:13:24
November 22 2016 05:55 GMT
#1


Context:
- KeSPA average salary report (at that time, average SC2 salary was 50m won)
- BW salaries for top 30 players in 2010 (Flash 250m won, Jaedong 220m won, 11/30 players with salary more than 70m won)
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TL+ Member
ZigguratOfUr
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Iraq16955 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-11-22 06:05:46
November 22 2016 06:05 GMT
#2
That's pretty shitty (though probably legal) of the teams and KeSPA. Another reason for having player unions in eSports.
sharkie
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Austria18674 Posts
November 22 2016 06:06 GMT
#3
I don't mean to hate but how would Flash know whats going on in other teams?
Cmon
Profile Joined August 2010
38 Posts
November 22 2016 06:06 GMT
#4
per month? per year? for everyone? only for the good one?
Probe1
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States17920 Posts
November 22 2016 06:11 GMT
#5
Is it really? $60,000 USD is a very comfortable salary. What would be better for everyone? Why are we upset ProLeague is gone?

Well for that last one there's two parts.
1. No ProLeague games
2. Players no longer have stable income and it will be difficult for some to continue being progamers without it.

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?
우정호 KT_VIOLET 1988 - 2012 While we are postponing, life speeds by
BigFan
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
TLADT24920 Posts
November 22 2016 06:12 GMT
#6
News isn't that surprising tbh.

On November 22 2016 15:06 Cmon wrote:
per month? per year? for everyone? only for the good one?

Likely for everyone and that's a per year figure.
Former BW EiC"Watch Bakemonogatari or I will kill you." -Toad, April 18th, 2017
dNa
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Germany591 Posts
November 22 2016 06:14 GMT
#7
While I understand that people want to be paid according to their abilities I think KeSPA had their reasons for that. I vaguely remember some kind of story of how teams went broke trying to afford salaries in WC3. I'll Edit this post after doing some research and coming back to you on that.

The point is, when there's no salary cap the big teams can afford all the good players, making things like pro league boring as fuck. Also good luck trying to renew sponsor ship deals when all the good players left your team.
"a pitchfork is for hay. a trident is for killing bitches." -djwheat
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8990 Posts
November 22 2016 06:16 GMT
#8
It's something that exist in all major sport league (in North-America at least), so smaller team get a chance to compete in the league. 70 000 000 is around 60 000 US$, it seems pretty good to me especially since it come with a house and food, you can say it is a bit low for star player but considering that there is also prize pool in competitions I think it is pretty ok.

I mean it's not like MVP could compete with JinAir or SKT on the money side so it protect them. It should have been public but I don't think it is that mush of a problem. I am far more concern for those on the lower end not those making 60K a year.
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
207aicila
Profile Joined January 2015
1237 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-11-22 06:21:18
November 22 2016 06:18 GMT
#9
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?


I mean that's what used to happen in BW. And we weren't bothered by it. Because the people making the most money were literally that much better and that much more deserving in terms of in-game play and tournament results.

It's hard for someone who started with SC2 to understand, because SC2 is much more volatile than BW, and there are far more tournaments so even the most consistent people don't look quite as impressive as they would have in BW. But try to imagine TBLS like Mvp in his prime, TaeJa in his prime, Life in his prime, etc. Winning almost everything consistently and also destroying in ProLeague. Would you say they're not entitled to the most money?
mfw people who never followed BW speak about sAviOr as if they know anything... -___-''''
TL+ Member
Probe1
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States17920 Posts
November 22 2016 06:28 GMT
#10
On November 22 2016 15:18 207aicila wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?


I mean that's what used to happen in BW. And we weren't bothered by it. Because the people making the most money were literally that much better and that much more deserving in terms of in-game play and tournament results.

It's hard for someone who started with SC2 to understand, because SC2 is much more volatile than BW, and there are far more tournaments so even the most consistent people don't look quite as impressive as they would have in BW. But try to imagine TBLS like Mvp in his prime, TaeJa in his prime, Life in his prime, etc. Winning almost everything consistently and also destroying in ProLeague. Would you say they're not entitled to the most money?

I have been watching and playing Brood War for longer than the six years I have been registered on TL. I'm not buying the SC2 kids just don't understand argument.

Like I said salary caps aren't that unusual. What is unusual is Starcraft is a 1v1 game and these players have opportunities to increase their substantial compensation through performance. If they are the best then they bring home tournament winnings. Plus in some players cases they could extend their success to personal endorsements and careers outside BW.

I don't have an obstinate opinion about how a team league should be run. But either way is really fine and not unusual. It is at least nothing I'm upset over.
우정호 KT_VIOLET 1988 - 2012 While we are postponing, life speeds by
dNa
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Germany591 Posts
November 22 2016 06:30 GMT
#11
On November 22 2016 15:18 207aicila wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?


I mean that's what used to happen in BW. And we weren't bothered by it. Because the people making the most money were literally that much better and that much more deserving in terms of in-game play and tournament results.

It's hard for someone who started with SC2 to understand, because SC2 is much more volatile than BW, and there are far more tournaments so even the most consistent people don't look quite as impressive as they would have in BW. But try to imagine TBLS like Mvp in his prime, TaeJa in his prime, Life in his prime, etc. Winning almost everything consistently and also destroying in ProLeague. Would you say they're not entitled to the most money?

Well they do get the most money from tournament winnings alone then

I'm sure teams have a budget for salary and if you pay one guy more you also have to take from the other players. As said before I totally understand how that is an issue for those literal gods you mentioned, but the thing is eSports isn't the football premier league, there's a budget for everything. And as I mentioned before, if there was no cap, the big teams would swoop up all the great players :x
"a pitchfork is for hay. a trident is for killing bitches." -djwheat
207aicila
Profile Joined January 2015
1237 Posts
November 22 2016 06:38 GMT
#12
On November 22 2016 15:28 Probe1 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 22 2016 15:18 207aicila wrote:
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?


I mean that's what used to happen in BW. And we weren't bothered by it. Because the people making the most money were literally that much better and that much more deserving in terms of in-game play and tournament results.

It's hard for someone who started with SC2 to understand, because SC2 is much more volatile than BW, and there are far more tournaments so even the most consistent people don't look quite as impressive as they would have in BW. But try to imagine TBLS like Mvp in his prime, TaeJa in his prime, Life in his prime, etc. Winning almost everything consistently and also destroying in ProLeague. Would you say they're not entitled to the most money?

I have been watching and playing Brood War for longer than the six years I have been registered on TL. I'm not buying the SC2 kids just don't understand argument.

Like I said salary caps aren't that unusual. What is unusual is Starcraft is a 1v1 game and these players have opportunities to increase their substantial compensation through performance. If they are the best then they bring home tournament winnings. Plus in some players cases they could extend their success to personal endorsements and careers outside BW.

I don't have an obstinate opinion about how a team league should be run. But either way is really fine and not unusual. It is at least nothing I'm upset over.


Just to clarify I wasn't talking about salary caps because as far as I'm aware they did not exist in BW. I was only talking about the fact that Flash in his prime made like $300k / year and everyone else on his team made peanuts compared to that. And it wasn't something to be concerned about because he was not only KT's brightest star but also the best player in the game period.
mfw people who never followed BW speak about sAviOr as if they know anything... -___-''''
TL+ Member
starslayer
Profile Joined August 2011
United States696 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-11-22 06:50:47
November 22 2016 06:46 GMT
#13
if its 60,000 for one player for a whole year im not sure what the problem is, thats good money for playing a video game some people dont make that working shitty ass jobs and dont have a chance to make more in tournaments, and also the players have like no bills most stay in a house they dont pay for get food and shit like what, how is it bad, sure you want more but come on. Also people already said its a thing in "real" sports that it helps weaker team so they can stay in the league.
i came here to kickass and chew bubblegum and i'm all out of bubble gum
r_gg
Profile Joined August 2015
141 Posts
November 22 2016 06:47 GMT
#14
On November 22 2016 15:38 207aicila wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 22 2016 15:28 Probe1 wrote:
On November 22 2016 15:18 207aicila wrote:
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?


I mean that's what used to happen in BW. And we weren't bothered by it. Because the people making the most money were literally that much better and that much more deserving in terms of in-game play and tournament results.

It's hard for someone who started with SC2 to understand, because SC2 is much more volatile than BW, and there are far more tournaments so even the most consistent people don't look quite as impressive as they would have in BW. But try to imagine TBLS like Mvp in his prime, TaeJa in his prime, Life in his prime, etc. Winning almost everything consistently and also destroying in ProLeague. Would you say they're not entitled to the most money?

I have been watching and playing Brood War for longer than the six years I have been registered on TL. I'm not buying the SC2 kids just don't understand argument.

Like I said salary caps aren't that unusual. What is unusual is Starcraft is a 1v1 game and these players have opportunities to increase their substantial compensation through performance. If they are the best then they bring home tournament winnings. Plus in some players cases they could extend their success to personal endorsements and careers outside BW.

I don't have an obstinate opinion about how a team league should be run. But either way is really fine and not unusual. It is at least nothing I'm upset over.


Just to clarify I wasn't talking about salary caps because as far as I'm aware they did not exist in BW. I was only talking about the fact that Flash in his prime made like $300k / year and everyone else on his team made peanuts compared to that. And it wasn't something to be concerned about because he was not only KT's brightest star but also the best player in the game period.


Well, on the video, Flash does say he was still earning six figure salary when he retired so it was still kinda true.
Writer
Foxxan
Profile Joined October 2004
Sweden3427 Posts
November 22 2016 06:47 GMT
#15
On November 22 2016 15:14 dNa wrote:
While I understand that people want to be paid according to their abilities I think KeSPA had their reasons for that. I vaguely remember some kind of story of how teams went broke trying to afford salaries in WC3. I'll Edit this post after doing some research and coming back to you on that.

The point is, when there's no salary cap the big teams can afford all the good players, making things like pro league boring as fuck. Also good luck trying to renew sponsor ship deals when all the good players left your team.

This so much. Also paying several millions for a player is ridicilous. Look at football, hockey etc, even actors, they get paid way to much for what they do.
Garemie
Profile Joined April 2011
United States248 Posts
November 22 2016 06:56 GMT
#16
I would say 60k per year is pretty good. Idk.
Bomber | CJ herO | Snute
Thaniri
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
1264 Posts
Last Edited: 2016-11-22 07:00:29
November 22 2016 07:00 GMT
#17
This is only a concern based on what % cut the team takes from prize winnings.

$60k is very good for playing SC2. Maybe it was a low figure in 2012, but in 2013+ it's surprising to me that people were making that in the first place. This is based off of the rumour that huk was making $100k + bonus when he signed onto EG.

SC2 players shouldn't be earning very much due to viewership problems. DoTA/CS:GO/LoL teams pay their players $100k+. This is based off of a s1mple rant about garbage NA teams that pay their players $5k a month (I think it was TSM).

The god damn coaching position for TL's counterstrike team offered $100k.

There's money to be had where the sponsors are putting it. InControl mentioned that several tournaments were told that the sponsors no longer wanted to feature SC2 in their events due to viewership.
Musicus
Profile Joined August 2011
Germany23579 Posts
November 22 2016 07:00 GMT
#18
For sc2 in Korea this seems like a good number and makes sense for teams like MVP to be ablte to compete imo. This isn't BW back in the days after all, but I get that Flash and others were used to much more.

Still, if you are gonna have a cap you have to make it public imo.
Maru and Serral are probably top 5.
RvB
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Netherlands6287 Posts
November 22 2016 07:02 GMT
#19
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:
Is it really? $60,000 USD is a very comfortable salary. What would be better for everyone? Why are we upset ProLeague is gone?

Well for that last one there's two parts.
1. No ProLeague games
2. Players no longer have stable income and it will be difficult for some to continue being progamers without it.

Having a salary cap (which is ubiquitous in sports) spreads the money a team has to more players. How would we address this if it was revealed from the opposite side? "Report: Flash receives $120,000 yearly salary, next highest teammate receives $20,000". We'd be bothered by that too right?

What happens in reality is that Flash will make 60k while the ither guy will still make 20k. Why pay the other guy more when he isn't worth it. They money won't be spread to more players it'll go back to the teams. It's a disgusting way to do business and illegal everywhere except in some sports apparently.
RoninKenshin
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada97 Posts
November 22 2016 07:12 GMT
#20
On November 22 2016 15:11 Probe1 wrote:
Is it really? $60,000 USD is a very comfortable salary. What would be better for everyone? Why are we upset ProLeague is gone?


What most people have to realize before addressing this is that while $60,000 is a comfortable salary for most people in regular life, it's a garbage cap for these pros. Why?

The majority of pros starts their career in middle school or high school. Due to the rigorous training schedule required to reach the top, meaning the status of Pro-gamer rather than the top of the Pro-gamers, most pros sacrifice their education. They may graduate, but they will not be able to score on on standardized tests which will allow them to enter top schools that lead to good jobs. This is especially serious in Korea where the University graduated from can be the main criteria for job searches. I know there's a few exceptions like Polt or Stephano, but most people cannot cannot balance both Pro SC2 and school.

After playing for 10 years and retiring from SC2, there are really very few options. Some liked personalities will be able to get jobs in gaming like MC, although that may be temporary as well. I remember seeing a "where are they now" article a long time ago, and it was incredibly bleak. A couple really lucky ones will get a job with their sponsored company. The probability of getting another job that comes even close to $60k a year or one that will eventually even give raises to that amount is probably close to zero.

The cap is garbage because getting into the career of competitive anything is essentially gambling that you can get to the top, make a living off of it, and coast through almost the rest of your life on it. You sacrifice all your other options for this risk. You don't just sacrifice your past and present, you sacrifice your future as well. If every player was paid $60,000 a year, then sure, that's fine. That would mean getting into pro-gaming would be a safe and comfortable job that yielding great reward for the few that could reach pro-gamer status. But instead there are tonnes of pro-gamers who got paid peanuts or even nothing. They're going to finish their 10 year careers with nothing in the bank and no future, and the top players are going to finish their career with some money in the bank and no future.

Also the idea that the cap was there to prevent the rich teams from stealing all the players is ridiculous. Nothing stopped SKT from stealing every single player that showed the slightest bit of potential. Caps only work if all the teams have at least some money, and we know that a lot were tapped or didn't care to invest more. All the caps did was hurt the futures of the players.

I'm with e-sports
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