In partnership with game developer Hi-Rez Studios, WESA has today announced a new Paladins Premier League (PPL).
The inaugural season will get underway in the immediate future in the autumn of 2017 and will see the participation of all the current 10 WESA Member teams. This means the likes of EnVyUS, Fnatic, G2, mouz, Na’Vi, NiP, Renegades, SK Gaming, Splyce and Virtus.Pro will each be getting a Paladins team. The PPL will become the second professional esports competition played under WESA guidance.
Importantly, it has been confirmed that non-WESA teams will be able to join the league too, though they must comply with WESA’s regulations on the league and treatment of players.
Ken Hershman, Executive Chairman and Commissioner of WESA stated: “Paladins has emerged as an innovative first person shooter (FPS) title and Hi-Rez has a track record of supporting endemic esports organizations and players. For WESA, this is an important milestone as it marks our second esports title.”
As part of the launch of the league, Hi-Rez Studios has partnered with WESA to split league revenues with participating teams, and to guarantee a minimum salary to players. These measures, combined with the global reach of the 10 WESA teams, give the PPL an exciting foundation from which to grow.
“Hi-Rez is very excited that the world’s most popular and experienced esports teams have chosen to partner with us in launching PPL under the leadership of WESA,” said Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer. “We see an incredible community appetite for competitive Paladins and the PPL will showcase the highest tier of Paladins esports within North America and Europe. In addition, we applaud WESA’s initiative to professionalize esports and will be working closely with them toward this goal.”
You can watch the official launch video below:
Paladins only entered open beta in September 2016 and has since welcomed more than 15 million players. There has been no top tier esports league for the title to date, and with this PPL the hope is that it gives an increased boost to its pro scene.
Media rights and further details regarding the structure of PPL will be revealed ahead of the inaugural season.
Esports Insider says: This is major news for Paladins, a title which millions have taken to but not much has happened in the way of top esports tournament options quite yet. With the participation of the ten WESA member teams, and the allowance for non-WESA orgs to take part it should prove a fiery first season of competition. We’re eager to learn more about the prize pools, and whether there’ll be any exclusivity as to the media rights.