First off this isn’t a piece to bash or to disrespect anyone in any way. This is how an outsider sees this, now by outsider is someone that doesn’t run a team but has worked for events and followed the eSports community for quite some time. This article comes about recent trend in roster changes after events. I remember few years back I would also ask, what prevents a player to just leave a team and back then people laughed and said, “Nothing but who does that?” This was probably some 3-4 years ago. When teams would really not drop that many people as often. Now its a trend that after every event roster change is going to happen. It does have its positives and negatives. I get it some teams just don’t pan out or personal issues etc. But why not make a structure?
Here’s the basic and simple idea that could be handled by team organizations and enforced by event organizations.
CONTRACTS!
Yes, its that simple! Have contracts on players, can be for one event or up to a year. This would also create the a known free agency pool rather than the scramble after events. Of course more details than just length can be apart of this.
Examples:
Have a universal time frame that if the player “Leaves” his or her team early before contract is done he or she can’t participate in the next major event. (Harsh but not like we can fine the pro players a fee for breaking contract) This would have to be enforced by Event organizations.
Have a clause for a one event contract that’s appealing and realistic. Let’s say your team is Top 8 past 3 events, you add new player for one event you tell them if you are top 3 they get the option to stay on the team for another event or more automatically. This can go against the players too, if you are Top 8 recently and you have a player that’s on a year contract. You could have a clause stating that if you don’t place Top 8 two events in a row they can be dropped prior to date.
With this type of thing it be smart to start the “Season” with the first major event of the year and end contracts on the last one of the year. But again its a raw idea but think it could go a very long way to helping CoD eSports Grow. I mean think about it, could you imagine if any other sports just let you stop playing after a game due to performance or because someone got butt hurt? I also know professional team owners in sports make money by sponsors, ticket sales, merchandise, etc. But isn’t that the main goal? Is to get to that level of professionalism? I know that most teams out there can’t do this type of structure but wouldn’t hurt to have something in place that’s known knowledge. Heck maybe even making a eSports Pro Players Association wouldn’t be a bad idea? Tons of options for further growth and I think a more solid structure when it comes to eSports would help CoD. Even from the point of view of a sponsor. Could you imagine, paying a team to be sponsored because they placed top 3 in an event. You pay money, give products, etc and bam after next event, team breaks up. Too much risk for companies to take most teams serious, but if 3 of 4 members of the team are locked in for a year? That to a company is assurance that they will get a return on the investment.
The TRUTH
CoD is too young and immature it seems. This will spread and become a theme. Giving people a reason to take it as a joke. It’s the only thing holding it back. Viewers and community grow but the immaturity and the lack of structure to this “pro” league or game isn’t set. Without that no one will take it seriously from a spectator/investor stand point.
Again just putting thoughts out there, what do you think? Is this too soon? Not needed? Would this bring more interests from the community? Feel free to voice your opinion as I just wanted to share my ideal with you guys!
Completely agree with everything you said.