• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 17:46
CEST 23:46
KST 06:46
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2914Serral wins Maestros of the Game 243ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12
Community News
SC4ALL II announced - $10,000 prize pool, Dec 5-63PIG STY FESTIVAL 8.0! (13 - 23 August)8Neeb returns to progaming; rejoins ONSYDE15Weekly Cups (July 20-26): Early returns on 5.0.16b8IntoTheTV X SOOP SC2 League : Weekly & Monthly5
StarCraft 2
General
Life's Huge Gambling Spree After IEM Katowice 2014 Neeb returns to progaming; rejoins ONSYDE SC4ALL II: StarCraft 2 Player Announcement 1/8 Balance hotfix patch 5.0.16b (July 16) Clem: "I don't have that much hope in Blizzard"
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SC4ALL II announced - $10,000 prize pool, Dec 5-6 PIG STY FESTIVAL 8.0! (13 - 23 August) IntoTheTV X SOOP SC2 League : Weekly & Monthly Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 536 Railroad Switch The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 535 Assembly of Vengeance Mutation # 534 Burning Evacuation
Brood War
General
ASL22 General Discussion Making an Online Broodwar Manager Game BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion BW Drama: Terror's Debt Incident + C9 disbanding
Tourneys
2v2v2v2 Tournament Escore Tournament - Season 3 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues BSL LAN Party - Kraków 29-30 August - OPEN SIGNUPS
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation PvT advise for noobs
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile ZeroSpace Early Access is Now Live!
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish TSM pausing esports and CLG Dead
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank TL Mafia Community Thread NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance
Community
General
European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Artificial Intelligence Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The Scarlett Fan Club The IdrA Fan Club The HerO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread Series you have seen recently... [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 McBoner: A hockey love story
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop
TL Community
Northern Ireland Global Starcraft The Automated Ban List
Blogs
What is a Gamer?
TrAiDoS
Hello guys!
LIN1s
ASL S22 English Commentary…
namkraft
Poker (part 2)
Nebuchad
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 4369 users

Pro Gaming Structure

Forum Index > BW General
Post a Reply
tenringer
Profile Joined April 2006
United States31 Posts
January 09 2007 04:55 GMT
#1
While StarCraft was my first love, over the years I turned into more of an fps player and my main game currently is counter-strike. There's been a lot of turmoil going on in the cs scene lately, including the announcement of a league to be run by DirecTV. It's possible that they will end up running a draft, making new teams, and paying the managers directly. While not very many people seem to be very happy about this league structure it hasn't occurred to anyone to look at the pro gaming structure which already exists.

Now I still follow the starcraft scene but I guess I never really understood the exact structure, so I have a few questions:

Who puts on the tournaments? TV stations or independents or what?
Who pays the teams besides prize money? I know they have sponsors and some teams have more money than others but is this their only source of income?
How would a new team become professional?
How does an average gamer make it to professional status/get on a pro team?
il0seonpurpose
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)5638 Posts
January 09 2007 05:01 GMT
#2
1. mbc is mostly the starcraft channel, there are others that just show starcraft
2. yeah, big sponsers i guess, like samsung and skt1, so much money
3. idk
4. its suppose to be a secret but if ur rreally good, then i think they ask u to play some games (like draco and suncow) and basically draco had good manner and suncow was being a retard.
then u sign a contract lol idk something like that
QuietIdiot
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
7004 Posts
January 09 2007 05:03 GMT
#3
I think for the last one, you have to gain membership as a practice partner, work your way up, just like Nal_keke did or Nal_draco. However, a team can only grant 2 licenses a year for a guy so you have to have exceptional skills. Or you could try your luck at the massive Courage League where everyone has like a 2% chance of winning -_-
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
January 09 2007 05:10 GMT
#4
Two Individual Leagues, MSL and OSL, aired by MBC game and Ongamenet, respectively. 3 seasons per year, winter, summer and fall. Each season is sponsored by a corporation.

Their is also Proleague, which is a team league.

Prize money is given to the top finishers, but on top of that, gamers are paid a certain amount per match. Sponsors provide the team with living accomodations and salary.
cYaN
Profile Joined May 2004
Norway3322 Posts
January 09 2007 05:11 GMT
#5
I assume you're speaking about the korean scene.
MBCgame and OGN put on all the Korean tournaments/league (with very few exceptions, in which case it's the pro teams themselves. Superfights (CJ) and KT KTF.
Sponsors. Pretty much every team is named after their main sponsor. OGN Sparkys is obviously mainly supported by OGN.
A new team become pros? put enough money into it and i'm sure KeSPA would ackknowledge it.
An average game has to make himself a mark in the scene.... then join a team as a training partner, win (or do very well) in a courage tournament and then official sign for a team as a progamer (in viture of his winning the courage)
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
January 09 2007 05:15 GMT
#6
I just remembered that teh proteams must pay Kespa a certain sum every year... i think it was $20K?

I remember Samsung was squabbling about this with Kespa a month ago.
tenringer
Profile Joined April 2006
United States31 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-01-09 05:29:57
January 09 2007 05:16 GMT
#7
thanks for the help

i guess i worded my first question wrong. Do MBC and OGL run the msl/osl/starleague or are they run separately and work together? Example, the nfl is run on its own and works together with different tv stations (cbs, fox, espn etc) for broadcasting. In this new DTV league for cs the station would also own the league.

also what is kespa?
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
January 09 2007 08:55 GMT
#8
On January 09 2007 14:16 tenringer wrote:
thanks for the help

i guess i worded my first question wrong. Do MBC and OGL run the msl/osl/starleague or are they run separately and work together? Example, the nfl is run on its own and works together with different tv stations (cbs, fox, espn etc) for broadcasting. In this new DTV league for cs the station would also own the league.

also what is kespa?


they run seperately and its OSL not OGL hahah "OnGameNet StarLeague
they are basically 2 different SC channels, 2 different sets of leagues.

kespa is the Korean e-sports players association
Graphicssavior[gm] : What is a “yawn” rape ;; Masumune - It was the year of the pig for those fucking defilers. Chill - A clinic you say? okum: SC without Korean yelling is like porn without sex. konamix: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!
tenringer
Profile Joined April 2006
United States31 Posts
January 09 2007 11:57 GMT
#9
yeah my bad ogl was a muscle memory typo. thanks for the help
HonestTea *
Profile Blog Joined December 2005
5007 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-01-09 13:00:45
January 09 2007 12:32 GMT
#10
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 Education (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.
returns upon momentous occasions.
siro)
Profile Joined January 2006
Australia848 Posts
January 09 2007 12:38 GMT
#11
HT wins
tenringer
Profile Joined April 2006
United States31 Posts
January 09 2007 12:44 GMT
#12
i love you HT
HonestTea *
Profile Blog Joined December 2005
5007 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-01-09 12:49:33
January 09 2007 12:48 GMT
#13
Anyway, for what its worth, the DirecTV - CS model would look a lot like early progaming in Korea, like around '98, '99.

Back then, it was one channel (not even a gaming-only channel; it was the anime channel Tooniverse) that decided to show competitive gaming on TV.

Tooniverse played the roles of Kespa, the broadcasters, and the tournaments all at the same time. They decided the format/rules of the tournament, and who would play, and then they showed it as original content to get viewers. And of course, viewers = advertising money.

There weren't even teams back then. It was just Tooniverse and the players.

I guess that grew into the institutionalized monster that we have now.

Regardless, glad to be of your service. ^_^
returns upon momentous occasions.
Liquid`Jinro
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
Sweden33719 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-01-09 13:00:49
January 09 2007 12:56 GMT
#14
EDIT:
Just saw honestea's post - it probably covers everything I mentioned and with far greater accuracy most likely (I haven't read it yet) If anything I said contradicts honstea's post it's probably best to assume that he's right!



On January 09 2007 14:01 il0seonpurpose wrote:
1. mbc is mostly the starcraft channel, there are others that just show starcraft
2. yeah, big sponsers i guess, like samsung and skt1, so much money
3. idk
4. its suppose to be a secret but if ur rreally good, then i think they ask u to play some games (like draco and suncow) and basically draco had good manner and suncow was being a retard.
then u sign a contract lol idk something like that

MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, nonono.
1) MBC and Ongamenet are the main starcraft channels, they host the biggest leagues, but the sponsors are generally big corporations.

2) Teams are sponsored by, again, big businesses for the most part. And yea, this is the players main source of income, they have a set salary.

3) I don't know how exactly, but presumably they'd need to register with the KESPA (korean esports association, formerly KPGA I think?) somehow? I have no real idea actually, but I guess they'd have to be recognized by them, as they are the governing entity of progaming in korea I believe?

4) You have to acquire a sem-pro license at first (at least I think they still make the distincton between pro and semi pro), which is primarily done by winning the Courage League which takes place once a month.

There's also Elite (unsure about details), and various other events that happen a few times a year in which you can be gain the status of semi-pro.

Teams can also grant a certain number (unsure how many) of players pro-status. EDIT: Honstea says 2 so there it is!

To become a full pro I believe you have to be drafted by one of the teams, I'm not sure how often there's a draft - monthly?

In order to play in the OGN and MBC offline prelims I think you have to hold a semi-pro license.
Moderatortell the guy that interplanatar interaction is pivotal to terrans variety of optionitudals in the pre-midgame preperatories as well as the protosstinal deterriggation of elite zergling strikes - Stimey n | Formerly FrozenArbiter
Manifesto7
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
Osaka27174 Posts
January 09 2007 13:19 GMT
#15
Honestea wins the universe.
ModeratorGodfather
KizZBG
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
u gotta skate8152 Posts
January 09 2007 15:43 GMT
#16
That was interesting to read HT. Thanks.
eSTRO for life | #2 Sea.Really fan! | #1 GosI[Flying] fan! | Clide - best SC2 terran!
gravity
Profile Joined March 2004
Australia2198 Posts
January 09 2007 19:19 GMT
#17
Thanks HonestTea, nice to see a clear explanation of it all in one place.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 15m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 420
NeuroSwarm 234
StarCraft: Brood War
NaDa 48
ZZZero.O 22
Dota 2
Gorgc10127
LuMiX0
League of Legends
Doublelift4709
JimRising 282
Counter-Strike
Fnx 330
minikerr145
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu440
Other Games
gofns11596
tarik_tv2171
Mlord1048
B2W.Neo522
TKL 304
ToD273
XaKoH 116
Livibee54
ViBE31
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1096
angryscii23
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 57
• davetesta31
• RyuSc2 13
• IndyKCrew
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• sooper7s
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• FirePhoenix24
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2694
• Noizen48
League of Legends
• Shiphtur595
Other Games
• tFFMrPink 15
Upcoming Events
PiG Sty Festival
2h 15m
Afreeca Starleague
6h 15m
RSL Revival
11h 15m
Clem vs Serral
herO vs Rogue
WardiTV Summer Champion…
14h 15m
WardiTV Weekly
1d 13h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
PiGosaur Cup
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Kung Fu Cup
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
IntoTheTV X SOOP
5 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S3: W5
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale

Ongoing

CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
ASL Season 22: Qualifier #1
RSL Revival: Season 6
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026

Upcoming

ASL Season 22: Qualifier #2
K-JUNGMAN
Acropolis #5
Escore Tournament S3: W6
Escore Tournament S3: W7
Escore Tournament S3: W8
CSLAN 4
HSC XXX
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
PiG Sty Festival 8.0
Thunderpick World Champ.
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
Logitech G Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.