The Electronic Sports League (ESL), one of the biggest e-sports league running e-sports tournaments of various games, have just established the World Esports Association (WESA). Formed with joint efforts from various pro gaming teams, the organisation aims to professionalise e-sports.
In that effort, WESA will introduce elements of player representation, standardised regulations, and revenue shares for teams.
While e-sports have been growing to rival the common sports scene, there has never been one main governing body that oversees all the e-sports arena. How FIFA oversees football and the FIA oversees motorsport, WESA aims to bring all the stakeholders together, as well as to create a predictable schedule for fans, players and broadcasters.
Players will also have a voice in the body, as it will also have an operative Player Council, where members of it are selected by fellow players.
The ESL Pro League for CS:GO will be the first game to implement regulations set by WESA.
The e-sports scene mostly operated independently from each other. There’s ESL and MLG (now owned by Activision-Blizzard), there are events and leagues run by game developers themselves (Dota 2 by Valve and LoL by Riot), the Fighting Game Community and many scenes.
Hopefully each of these small scenes can agree with WESA and unite their umbrella and get the e-sports scene as a whole grow bigger and sustainable.