Taiwan eSports League

The Taiwan eSports League (TeSL) is the professional eSports league in Taiwan. They have recently just started up their StarCraft II league in 2011. TeSL is the first league in the world to show StarCraft II games on their live TV. And they are also the first StarCraft II league where all players have a base salary. Every player of the 5 teams has a steady monthly salary. Their goal is to help all of their players get to the point where they are able to play and compete at the same level as their famed player Yang "Sen" Chia Cheng. Although they still have a long way to go before they can reach this goal, they believe that in the future you will be able to see other Taiwan players in the GOMTV Global StarCraft II League (GSL) and the North American Star League (NASL).

Teams

These are the 5 professional teams of the TeSL. All of the players have a salary and live together at the team house. They are able to practice together and every weekend come into the studio to compete. The matches played are broadcast live on Television. Every Saturday and Sunday night two different teams play. After the regular season the two teams with the best records will play in the championship. So when the season ends after about half a year, there will be a champion team and a second place team. The TeSL has mentioned that in the future they may open up the league to top non-Taiwan players, to come to Taiwan and be part of the TeSL. Although mention of this has been made, no official dates or plans have been revealed. But everyone can look forward to this.

Coverage

TeSL cooperates with the Videoland Television Network which is the same network that broadcasts professional baseball and other big sporting events in Taiwan. Matches are held in a recording studio without a live audience. The players are in a different room than the casters, so they don't need to be in soundproof rooms. The three players that will play in any match are decided before hand and sit in front of a row of computers at the two sides of the room. For anyone in Taiwan, the broadcasts are shown live on Channel 71 at around 9:30pm every Saturday and Sunday night.[1] The commentator of the TeSL's live TV show is called SoBad AKA SoBadRush and is a Zerg player.

Gamabears

The Gamabears get their name and logo from Taiwan's native Formosan black bear, because of its playful nature and strong power that matches Gamania's own spirit. The Formosan black bear also features a distinctive v-shaped mark on its chest, which the team takes to represent its ambitions of victory in the gaming arena. The Gamabears play different roles depending on the context, yet they maintain the attitude that work is play and play is work.[2]

References

  1. ↑ http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Taiwan_eSports_League
  2. ↑ http://www.gamania.com/eng/business/GAMABEARS/