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Counter-Strike: SK, 3D, coL looking at Team Unions

By: Trevor Schmidt - Published December 22, 2005 at 7:55 PM EST - Writer Archive
Thoughts of a team union have become increasingly more well known but today news broke on not only one but two potential unions being worked on in eSports.
Initial reports suggest that a team union is on the horizon. An article released by GGL.com suggests that a union would be built out of the current model of G-14. G-14 is a private organization of club soccer teams in Europe with familiar names such as Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF and Manchester United FC all participating.

The problem according to the article, is that nothing has happened yet. A quote used in the article says just that.

"Nothing has been formalized as yet. But we are definitely excited by the possibilities and really feel that it will help further the e-sports scene if successful," said Samuel Mathews, Fnatic’s manager and proposed member of the new organization.

According to the article the following teams were said to have agreed to join the G-7, as it’s being called; Mousesports, SK Gaming, Fnatic, 4Kings, Made in Brazil, Team 3D and Complexity. When GotFrag spoke to many of these organizations they didn’t seem to know much about what was going on inside of the G-7.

"I've been contacted regarding an organizational meeting being held in January, but really don't have enough information to make an educated statement at this time,” said Jason “1” Lake, owner and manager of Complexity.

G-7 refers to seven teams in its name, but the initial list provided by GGL.com suggested eight teams. This leaves one extra team on that list that could potentially not be a part of the initial core group. Complexity might be this team as their email regarding this was from another party. Sources suggest that this other group could be starting up under the direction of Johan “Vesslan” Ryman, Virtual BroadCast Company’s owner and director.

“No I’m not directly involved in that union,” said Ryman, “I was invited for the meeting tonight but couldn’t attend and I might be involved in the future.”

When asked about his own organization Ryman had “no comment”, but the same sources naming Ryman had Complexity’s email source which suggesst he has been sending emails out to a large number of teams. In these emails he has been using the charter name of “eSports Federation” different from G-7 being put together by the seven founding teams. Neither organization seems to be reaching out very far as many Counter-Strike teams are still unaware while others still may be approached by both groups.

“This is the first notice that I have got,” said Saul Fernandez Millan, manager of team X6tence Spain’s most well known and established team.

X6tence wasn’t the only team as Ninja in Pajamas was only recently spoken to about the possibility of an organization.

“Vesslan(Ryman) spoke to me a few days ago but really we have no idea yet what’s going on and I’m still confused about all of this,” said Peter Hedlund, Owner and Manager of Team NiP, “I think it’s needed for the growth of the entire community and a good step forward.”

Ryman agreed with Hedlund hoping that this will all develop.

“I think it’s a great move from the teams,” said Ryman, “Hopefully this will develop into something bigger that will benefit eSports in the long run.”

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