Owners speak out on ELEAGUE payment controversy

Teams have spoken out publicly over a recent report of a payment dispute with some Counter-Strike teams and Turner Sports, the organizers of ELEAGUE.

A Slingshot report last night claimed that six members of the Professional Esports Association (PEA), the members who took part in ELEAGUE season one, were locked in a dispute with Turner over the terms of payment for the debut event. The teams claim they believed the contract entitled them to a $30,000 appearance fee on top of a minimum of $30,000 prize money—something Turner reportedly disputes.

In a statement to Dot Esports, a Turner Sports spokesperson said that all teams had been paid. The original report claims that the six PEA teams had not yet received payment.

Today, several team owners spoke publicly the issue for the first time. Victor Goossens of Team Liquid confirmed his belief that the team was owed a $30,000 appearance fee, stating that he believed “most teams” shared that interpretation.

This was disputed however by Flipsid3 Tactics founder Hector Rosario, who said that he understood that the $30,000 figure referred to a minimum prize money payout for a last-place finish.

G2 Esports owner Carlos “Ocelote” Rodriguez Santiago, who are part of the ESL-run WESA team association, tweeted that he had also believed the appearance fee was an extra payment.

Despite the teams claim that they believe they are owed the money, they have so far not made any public suggestion of taking further action over the issue.