PEA v Players. I felt like there is a lot to say on the subject, but 140 chars is not nearly enough to express my views properly. So here is a longer version for those who care.

Firstly, I've absolutely nothing against those in the PEA who have worked for better player conditions, pensions, healthcare, full time contracts rather than freelance and dental plans and taxation help, salaries comparable to small sports leagues and usually the majority (or even all) of the prize money they win. Many of the people, namely the managers and CEO's of teams in the PEA have a long history of doing a lot of great things for players, not just within CSGO either.

I do however have some issues with Jason Katz having seen him work first hand at CGS, fail to do anything of note at Riot before being relieved of his position and now heading up Azubu (which owes money to organisations). I said at the launch of the PEA I wished it well, but had my doubts about having someone like Katz involved. That's a personal feeling and one mans opinion, I was more than open to being proved wrong.

With all of that said, the first issue for me is perception. When you launch something called the Professional Esports Association (PEA) but actually you are going to run it like a league rather than an association for teams and players to protect their interests, you are already promising something you can't deliver. Even if this is a perception issue, it's one which is hard to overcome, just look at WESA and they aren't even running a league.

We are, as esports fans, naturally very suspicious and more often than not, very black and white (even if most of the things in esports, like life are shades of grey). Knowing this as we do, I believe it was a mistake to come out as boldly as PEA did with so many promises that, inevitably perhaps would be broken. Not through ill conceived ideas of evil doing, but instead because, well, things do change. That's not to say that I think the situation PEA and the players now find themselves in could not have been avoided, it really could, on both sides.

I generally support the players on the issue they have raised, namely being told they can't play in the ESL Pro League. It's important for all players and teams for that matter, to ensure they can play at the highest level against the best teams out there with the top prize money being given out. Their careers are short and they do need to make their money now while the game is hot and able to give it. There is no certainty in esports, even in these far more professional times.

That said, PEA is also offering an incredible deal, we should forget that. Players (and casters for that matter) will share in the profits of the league, there are guarentees built in to ensure players earn good money throughout. The main issue appears not to be the PEA's refusal to allow players to play in the ESL Pro League, but instead the players being asked to make a choice between playing in EPL or PEA. The fact of the matter is, they shouldn't have to choose, they should be free to play in both, however I'm reliably informed that due to the schedule this is almost impossible and the players will need to make a choice of which league they play in.

From what I am told privately by a reliable source within the PEA, the players will have a choice, not be forced to play in PEA. If they choose to play in the EPL, then the PEA may have to rethink its approach, it could be shelved entirely or it could be postponed. Either way, I think it would be a shame if a compromise cannot be found and I strongly believe that if negotiation with EPL cannot gain a defined schedule that allows both to co-exist (for the PEA players to play in both) then the PEA should have worked harder on this side of things and done so earlier (via reports from players that contact was exceptionally late with EPL).

I also feel that a flexible scheduling system could be used to enable the PEA to continue with its plans, but its very easy for me to sit here without the full knowledge of what they have planned to say that and quiet something else to deliver it.

I'd also like to point out that the abuse of Scott Smith is unwarranted. He is simply defending the players because they approached him to do so and to blame him for inciting a riot would also be not only wrong, but very unreasonable.

Finally, as I said earlier, things in esports are rarely black and white and this situation is no different, it has multiple shades of grey and while I continue to support the players, it's worth remembering the people behind PEA, regardless of our personal opinions are not trying to screw the players. I will, regardless of the outcome remain friends and have a great deal of respect for all those involved, players and team owners alike. I just hope a reasonable outcome can be found where the players, first and foremost feel they have been treated fairly in this issue with there wishes taken in to account and from what I hear, that is exactly what PEA intends to do.

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