WESA brings in new rules to stop multi team ownership

The World Esports Association has announced a new set of rules for its competitions that restrict one company owning or having a financial stake in multiple teams in the league. 

A statement released by WESA states that “no team is permitted to be completely or partially owned or controlled by a person or entity that owns or controls another esports team or organization participating at WESA sanctioned events.”

This has far reaching impacts in the world of eSports. Not only does this mean that sister teams such as Fantic academy cannot compete in WESA events, it also means that some big names are going to have to change ownership. For example a company known as ESForce has stakes in multiple teams such as NaVi, Virtus Pro and SK Gaming, all teams that compete in the ESL Pro League. 

The new rules mean that somehow ESForce is going to have to release its ownership in two of those teams. 

WESA has also implemented a new Personal Code of Conduct that governs the behaviour of anyone involved with WESA, from players through to staff. While the full document has not been released it sounds like a standard affair, saying that they can’t go out and slag off WESA in any way. 

 “At WESA, we are committed to creating industry-wide standards in esports that benefit member teams, their players and the esports industry at large,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Chairman and Commissioner of WESA. “These new standards and regulations will further our goal of better professionalizing esports and ensure that all of our organizations are operating on the same level playing field.”