Leading eSports league, ESL, has overseen the creation of the World Esports Association (WESA); a new regulatory body tasked with governing and standardizing one of the fastest growing sports on the planet.
WESA is the brainchild of the ESL and a number of leading eSports teams, such as Virtus.Pro and Faze, and is being pitched as an “open and inclusive” organization with a simple mission: professionalize eSports.
“WESA will introduce elements of player representation, standardized regulations, and revenue shares for teams,” reads a statement on the WESA website.
“It will seek to create predictable schedules for fans, players, organizers and broadcasters, and for the first time, bring all stakeholders to the discussion table.”
An operative player council, elected by fellow pros, will voice the concerns of those competing, putting forward their views on topics including league policies, rule sets, and player transfers.
According to the ESL, player empowerment is the driving force behind WESA, as they’re the ones who’ll be most affected by any decisions made. The first player council is due to be announced in the coming weeks.
“[By] bringing Teams and Players to the core of its decision making processes, WESA provides a transparent and inclusive communication channels for those who are most affected by the decision the association makes,” reads WESA’s mission statement.
“The World Esports Association will enable eSports teams and players to operate under a transparent umbrella that provides its holders with stability, legal advice, and protection from economic uncertainties.”
The ESL Pro League for Counter Strike: Global Offensive will be the first competition to implement WESA regulations.
An executive board will manage the day to day running of WESA, and will consist of five members; two appointed by the ESL, and two others appointed by member teams.
The fifth member, a board chairman, is chosen by all four members, and will serve for no longer than three years.
Overseeing the work of both the board and the player council will be interim league commissioner, Pietro Fringuelli, partner at German law firm, CMS, and head of the CMS Media and Sports sector group.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my years of experience from traditional sports into the world of electronic sports,” said Fringuelli.
“The formation of WESA, and the growth of the Association in the coming years, will be the critical performance indicators for the entire eSports industry.”
More information on the formation of WESA and the organization’s goals can be found on the WESA website.