 |
| (Image Source: GMA News/Mobile Legends Professional League - Philippines) |
Mobile Legends Professional League - Philippines (MPL-PH), the premiere professional eSports and mobile gaming league in the country, has reached a new milestone in its history and is set to open a new chapter on its journey as a franchise model that aligns the interest of various stakeholders - the players, the teams and the local gaming community - to bring a brighter future for the development of the Philippine eSports scene. Seeing over US$8 million (Php400 million) shared amongst participating teams over the next three years, the transition to a diversified revenue model will enable a more professional and standardized management system and team operation providing players the much-needed stability they require including full protection of their rights and interests.
“The launch of the franchise model marks a momentous chapter in MPL PH’s journey as a league,” said MPL-PH Director of Business Development Matt Jaron. “It will provide players greater sustainability and protection – a goal that we’ve been working and striving towards forever since the inception of MPL PH. We hope that the shift will encourage more players to participate or compete for MPL PH, and boost growth within the local esports ecosystem.” Meanwhile, Smart Communications' First Vice-President and Corporate Marketing Group Head expressed, “As a staunch supporter of Philippine esports, we at Smart support this move by Moonton because it will further elevate and professionalize the league. This will tremendously help our esports athletes who have made a lot of sacrifices in choosing this career path, and we also hope that this will inspire more Filipinos to take their passion in gaming to the next level with a much bigger purpose.”
The upcoming eighth season of MPL-PH which literally marks the first chapter of its new journey as a franchise-based league will have a prize pool of US$150,000 with a revamped rulebook and tournament format. The model will set new professional standards for teams which will enhance their branding and marketing operations. In addition to the franchise model launch, MPL-PH will be setting up a local office that is slated to become operational within the year. Furthermore, the league is also set to launch a developmental tournament on Season 9 which will allow and enable community teams across different parts of the country to participate and compete. MPL-PH Season 8 begins on August 13 and will feature eight Mobile Legends Bang Bang squads including Smart Omega, TNC, Nexplay EVOS, RSG PH, Execration, Blacklist International, Echo and ONIC PH.
