Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Players Speak Out Against PEA and Team Owners
A group of 25 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players who are set to compete in the Professional Esports Association’s (PEA) upcoming CS:GO league have released a letter detailing their concerns. The players, representing Cloud9, TSM, Team Liquid, Immortals, and Counter Logic Gaming, state that they are being forced by their teams to exclusively participate in PEA’s event, which restricts them from competing in tournaments of their choosing and ultimately affects their earnings.
PEA’s Promises and Exclusion of Players
PEA was launched on September 9th, offering a new $1 million league in the North American region. The association promised revenue sharing and co-ownership for the eight founding teams, as well as a high level of transparency with players. However, the players claim that they have been excluded from having any real impact on the tournament, including the decision to make PEA an exclusive league, which they were assured would not happen.
Unfairness in PEA’s Rule Committee
Players were asked to elect three representatives for PEA’s rules committee, but the players’ letter points out that they were always at risk of being a minority vote. This is because PEA’s league commissioner, Jason Katz, held two votes, and could simply vote in favor of the team owners, effectively overpowering the votes of the players.
Restrictions on Participating in ESL Pro League
Rumors began circulating that any team participating in PEA’s CS:GO league would not be allowed to compete in the upcoming season of ESL Pro League, a highly prestigious tournament. The players nominated Scott “SirScoots” Smith to represent them, and he discovered that PEA had not attempted to communicate with ESL. PEA later presented alternatives, but none of them allowed teams to compete in both leagues.
Smith wrote a letter on behalf of the players, expressing their unwillingness to compete in PEA’s league if it excluded them from ESL Pro League. PEA responded by requesting a telephone meeting, but in the meantime, they decided to end negotiations with ESL without consulting the players.
PEA has not yet responded to the players’ letter. This public display of players speaking out against their teams is a significant step towards improving player rights in esports for the year 2017.