In an unprecedented move, Blacklist International, M3 champion and one of the most iconic teams in Philippine esports history, recently announced its withdrawal from MPL PH after five years of competing.
Through a Facebook post shared by Blacklist International earlier this week, the team revealed its decision to transfer their MPL Franchise Ownership to another organization.
In an intimate press conference held last Thursday, CEO Tryke Gutierrez discussed the organization’s decision to exit from the MPL.
“Whatever we achieved in Blacklist International, I feel like it is more than what we expected it to be, especially with the Mobile Legends team. It was beyond our expectations. However, looking at all of that, what I eventually realized was that, hindi naman kami kasi proactively looking to sell, for the record. We were just open to receive potential offers or entertain conversations,” said Gutierrez.
“But when this business opportunity kind of came, of course as a CEO you’re obliged to assess. The way we see it is, we saw it as an opportunity to reassess our position in the market,” he said.
Gutierrez also clarified that the decision was a response to a business opportunity that came for the organization and was discussed with the team as early as December last year, dismissing negative rumors surrounding the team’s exit.
“Hindi siya purely about a profitability conversation. It’s really more about, for me, a reassessment of the position.”
When asked by Manila Standard about the team’s future, Gutierrez assured that the players were released accordingly and are currently being assisted in their respective transitions. “Everybody will play. I think this squad is built to play and will play.”
Moving forward, Blacklist International intends to focus for now on its existing rosters in other game titles, while remaining open to the idea of re-entering the MPL scene in the future.
Alongside Blacklist International, RSG Philippines is also set to leave MPL-Philippines. The franchise slots for both teams are to be taken over by Saudi Arabian-based organizations: Twisted Minds and Team Falcons, as announced by MPL Philippines yesterday in a press release.
Misconceptions
During the press conference, Gutierrez also clarified some rumours and false impressions surrounding their sudden exit from MPL-Philippines. According to him, the team already knew days before the infamous “last dance” post from the team’s head coach Bon Chan.
“I went to the bootcamp in person and talked about the whole process.They were super disappointed, I can say. Obviously, everybody wanted to fight for the banner. But at the same time, they are all smart people. You’ll be surprised in terms of like, (the team’s) level of understanding of changes and things like that.”
Gutierrez also addressed the rumors circulating online about the team’s profitability in the league and last season’s MPL finish and Blacklist’s venture in other esport titles.
“For the record, the franchise slot of the MPL is basically a one-time buy. You buy a slot, it’s perpetually yours. In terms of profitability, Blacklist International ML:BB on a per-year basis, I think has good numbers.”
“We are not looking for new teams because we left ML, but we always have been looking,” he added.
Gutierrez was also very open in answering questions concerning the business side of their decision. When asked if the organization sold the slot more than they bought it, he revealed: “In terms of capital gains, yes.”
Looking forward
As one of the most prominent names in local and international esports, Blacklist International and Gutierrez remain optimistic on the sustainability of esports in the Philippines.
“All of the decision makers are not that young. The thing is, there will be a lot of developments that will happen in esports in the next three or five years because the decision makers like us are only coming into the right titles and positions in the world. And du’n pa lang sila makakapag-adapt sa eksena. Mag-dedevelop talaga ‘yung market, as everything technically develops all together,” Gutierrez said.
At the end of the interview, Gutierrez expressed his gratitude to all the players, coaches, fans and everyone in the ML:BB community.
And if there’s anything he learned during the team’s five-year MPL stint, it’s this: “Enjoy the ride. You can only keep something as successful as that for a X period of time. That’s just how sports is. That’s just how esports is.”