{"id":1570531,"date":"2022-01-24T15:46:01","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T20:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/starcraft-2\/584380-esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group"},"modified":"2022-01-24T15:46:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T20:46:01","slug":"esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group","status":"publish","type":"station","link":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/plato-data\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group\/","title":{"rendered":"ESL sold for $1B to Saudi-backed Savvy Gaming Group"},"content":{"rendered":"<br \/>\n<tr class=\"thread_dock top\">\n<td colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"2.4418604651163\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid fp1\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelhigh\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>dbRic1203<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=dbRic1203\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined July 2019<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Germany<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">2205 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>\nESL sold for 1 Billion USD to Savvy Gaming Group from Saudi Arabia:<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"forumsig\">\n<p>MaxPax | Reynor | Clem<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"3.36\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"special-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.gif\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Waxangel<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Waxangel\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Waxangel\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined September 2002<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">30584 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>IEM Katowice? It&#8217;s IEM Jeddah now <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group-1.gif\" border=\"0\" alt><\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span class=\"staff_title\"><span class=\"staff_title\">Administrator<\/span><\/span>Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"forumsig\"> <span class=\"contrib\"> <span class=\"lpspr lpcoin-bronze2\" title=\"Liquipedia Contribution\"><\/span> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/plus\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TL+ Member\" title=\"TL+ Member\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.png\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"1.1578947368421\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Jakji<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Jakji\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined January 2022<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\"><\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">1 Post<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>what?!<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"7.4098360655738\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Bagration<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Bagration\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Bagration\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined October 2011<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">18270 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"27\">\n<section readability=\"4\">Saudi Arabia has been pretty serious about trying to diversify its investments outside of petro, while simultaneously trying rebrand and boost its soft power<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ll see how this goes &#8211; I have my opinions about KSA, but have to admit I don&#8217;t mind more investment pouring into eSports. Just hope they don&#8217;t ruin this org<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"8\">\n<p>Team Slayers, Axiom-Acer and Vile forever<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"2.3093525179856\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>luxon<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=luxon\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined August 2012<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">27 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>demuslim sweating right now about his handle choice lol<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"6.4125874125874\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\"> <\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>I really detest the increasing influence dictatorships have on the entertainment sector (and not only that sector). Why can&#8217;t we have nice things? :\/<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"2.5\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"10\">\n<p>Mendici sumus. Hoc est verum. | I don&#8217;t mind straight people, as long as they act gay in public. | Es ist keine Tugend edel geboren werden, sondern sich edel machen | \u03bf\u1f36\u03b4\u03b1 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u03b5\u1f30\u03b4\u03ce\u03c2<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"5.6404494382022\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Slydie<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Slydie\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined August 2013<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\"><\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">1379 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"28\">\n<section readability=\"6\">Damn. I already lost most of my interest in soccer because of rich arabs with awful values buying their way into western mainstream culture.<\/p>\n<p>Political controversy is a fairly common thing in E-sports. What will be the consequenze if a player shows symphaties in one of the many wars and conflicts Saudi-Arabia is involved with?<\/p>\n<p>It might be a financial move only, but I find it is sad to see this happen to ESL.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"forumsig\">\n<p>Buff the siegetank<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"17.311111111111\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>tommey.liang<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=tommey.liang\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined November 2020<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">205 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>This is quite a twist that I, or many of us, were not expecting. What does this mean? What are the implications? Saudi Arabia rising?<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"20\">\n<p>FF, KH, Persona, Uncharted, Yakuza | Porter, Illenium, MitiS, Dabin, Seven Lions, Petit Biscuit | Diablo II, SC2 | Pho, sushi, tacos<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"2.0679611650485\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>geokilla<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=geokilla\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined May 2011<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Canada<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">7905 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>$1 billion? Way overpaid<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"3.2835820895522\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\"> <\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>the Iron Sheik has always been my favourite wrestler<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span class=\"staff_title\"><span class=\"staff_title\">Writer<\/span><\/span>Defeating a sandwich only makes it tastier. @ziggystarcraft<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"6.4888438133874\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Nakajin<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Nakajin\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Nakajin\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined September 2014<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Canada<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">7567 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"27\">\n<section readability=\"4\">Saudi Arabians becoming the main international diffusers of a game based on killing generic turban-weering middle-estern terrorist fighting the West is a trully facinating exemple of the mind-bogling realities of modern international capitalism.<\/p>\n<p>But past the irony, not sure I like it for SC2, I&#8217;d preffer if no one looked to closely at us.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<blockquote class=\"imgur-embed-pub\" lang=\"en\" data-id=\"9p6ufcB\"><p><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/imgur.com\/9p6ufcB\">View post on imgur.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/s.imgur.com\/min\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"7.6154873164219\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"special-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.gif\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Waxangel<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Waxangel\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Waxangel\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined September 2002<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">30584 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"27\">\n<section readability=\"8\">\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"13\"><b>On January 25 2022 07:13 Nakajin wrote:<\/b><br \/>Saudi Arabians becoming the main international diffusers of a game based on killing generic turban-weering middle-estern terrorist fighting the West is a trully facinating exemple of the mind-bogling realities of modern international capitalism.<\/p>\n<p>But past the irony, not sure I like it for SC2, I&#8217;d preffer if no one looked to closely at us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Were there old versions of CS where the terrorists were stereotype middle-eastern? From what I&#8217;ve played of CSGO and source, it seemed like that was avoided pretty intentionally.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span class=\"staff_title\"><span class=\"staff_title\">Administrator<\/span><\/span>Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"forumsig\"> <span class=\"contrib\"> <span class=\"lpspr lpcoin-bronze2\" title=\"Liquipedia Contribution\"><\/span> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/plus\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TL+ Member\" title=\"TL+ Member\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.png\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"3.536231884058\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>iloveoof<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=iloveoof\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined July 2019<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\"><\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">12 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>I\u2019m totally uncomfortable with this even if the new management keeps their commitment to Starcraft 2. ESL has spent so long cultivating a great and well-earned reputation and this is devastating to it.<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"11.401174168297\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>honorablemacroterran<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=honorablemacroterran\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined January 2022<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\"><\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">27 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"28.899892933619\">\n<section readability=\"10.776231263383\">\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"8.7219512195122\"><b>On January 25 2022 07:22 Waxangel wrote:<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"8.5692695214106\"><a id=\"showQuoteLink_1\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/starcraft-2\/584380-esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group#\" onclick=\"javascript:toggleShowQuote(1); return false\">Show nested quote +<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"showQuoteRest_1\" class=\"sqr\" readability=\"13\"><b>On January 25 2022 07:13 Nakajin wrote:<\/b><br \/>Saudi Arabians becoming the main international diffusers of a game based on killing generic turban-weering middle-estern terrorist fighting the West is a trully facinating exemple of the mind-bogling realities of modern international capitalism.<\/p>\n<p>But past the irony, not sure I like it for SC2, I&#8217;d preffer if no one looked to closely at us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Were there old versions of CS where the terrorists were stereotype middle-eastern? From what I&#8217;ve played of CSGO and source, it seemed like that was avoided pretty intentionally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>CS has different skins for the teams depending on the map. Sometimes the CTs are Seal Team Six, sometimes SAS, and various other European counter-terrorist\/special forces teams. One of the terrorist factions was definitely Middle Eastern themed last time I played. There&#8217;s also Anarchists, Basque Separatists, etc. etc. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"6.0548523206751\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Telephone<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Telephone\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined October 2010<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">6 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>According to the article, Savvy Gaming Group is led by CEO Brian Ward, who was once Senior Vice President, Worldwide Studios at Activision Blizzard.<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"9.4399185336049\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Nakajin<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Nakajin\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Nakajin\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined September 2014<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Canada<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">7567 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"27.357487922705\">\n<section readability=\"7.8164251207729\">\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"8.7219512195122\"><b>On January 25 2022 07:22 Waxangel wrote:<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"8.5692695214106\"><a id=\"showQuoteLink_2\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/starcraft-2\/584380-esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group#\" onclick=\"javascript:toggleShowQuote(2); return false\">Show nested quote +<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"showQuoteRest_2\" class=\"sqr\" readability=\"13\"><b>On January 25 2022 07:13 Nakajin wrote:<\/b><br \/>Saudi Arabians becoming the main international diffusers of a game based on killing generic turban-weering middle-estern terrorist fighting the West is a trully facinating exemple of the mind-bogling realities of modern international capitalism.<\/p>\n<p>But past the irony, not sure I like it for SC2, I&#8217;d preffer if no one looked to closely at us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Were there old versions of CS where the terrorists were stereotype middle-eastern? From what I&#8217;ve played of CSGO and source, it seemed like that was avoided pretty intentionally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Oh, well I gotta be honest I haven&#8217;t played CS in like 10 years, but my memory of it were the terrorist on like Dust 2 and those seemed pretty much standard middle estern terrorist.<br \/>Could be totally wrong for sure.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<blockquote class=\"imgur-embed-pub\" lang=\"en\" data-id=\"9p6ufcB\"><p><a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/imgur.com\/9p6ufcB\">View post on imgur.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/s.imgur.com\/min\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"1.3118279569892\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>LHK<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=LHK\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined May 2015<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\"><\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">198 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>i do not like this<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer> <\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"5.5616438356164\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Chris_Havoc<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Chris_Havoc\">Profile<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined August 2016<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">536 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"26\">\n<section readability=\"2\">Considering this group is not only buying ESL but also FaceIT for an additional $500 million, means this deal is primarily about acquiring CS:GO assets and not so much about StarCraft 2.<\/p>\n<p>Now how this deal affects SC2 obviously remains to be seen. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"8\">\n<p>Owner of the SC2 Esports Anthology channel on YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SC2EsportsAnthology<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"5.0847457627119\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section>\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div readability=\"4.9\">\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\" readability=\"5.7166666666667\">\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Cyro<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Cyro\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Cyro\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined June 2011<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United Kingdom<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">19979 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\">\n<section>Well, fuck. At least ESL&#8217;s former owners have $$$ now<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"8\">\n<p>&#8220;oh my god my overclock&#8230; I got a single WHEA error on the 23rd hour, 9 minutes&#8221; -Belial88<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"10.583596214511\">\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"fpost\">\n<div class=\"solid\">\n<section class=\"pnt01\">\n<header class=\"titelbalk\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"forummsginfo\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"special-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.gif\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"fpost-username\"> <span>Waxangel<\/span> <span class=\"userarrow\"><\/span> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"tooltip\"><a class=\"tt-userinfo\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/profile.php?user=Waxangel\">Profile<\/a> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/blogs\/Waxangel\" class=\"tt-userinfo\">Blog<\/a> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">Joined September 2002<\/span> <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p> <span class=\"tt-userinfo\">United States<\/span><span class=\"tt-userinfo\">30584 Posts<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article class=\"forumPost\" readability=\"30\">\n<section readability=\"13\">\n<div class=\"quote\" readability=\"11\"><b>On January 25 2022 08:44 Chris_Havoc wrote:<\/b><br \/>Considering this group is not only buying ESL but also FaceIT for an additional $500 million, means this deal is primarily about acquiring CS:GO assets and not so much about StarCraft 2.<\/p>\n<p>Now how this deal affects SC2 obviously remains to be seen. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Well, the 2022\/23 EPT plan is already laid out, and SC2 is so minor for ESL I imagine it doesn&#8217;t affect the operations of the league much at all. I think the way fans will notice it most is if random Saudi ventures (NEOM, etc) become the main sponsors of EPT and are prominently displayed\/ads played every break. Mind you, this is just talking about how it might affect ESL SC2 in practical terms, not the underlying issue of principle.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<footer readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"forumsig\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span class=\"staff_title\"><span class=\"staff_title\">Administrator<\/span><\/span>Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"forumsig\"> <span class=\"contrib\"> <span class=\"lpspr lpcoin-bronze2\" title=\"Liquipedia Contribution\"><\/span> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/plus\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TL+ Member\" title=\"TL+ Member\" src=\"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group.png\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"thread_dock bot\">\n<td colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr readability=\"1.2\">\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p> <a rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/starcraft-2\/584380-esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group\">Source: https:\/\/tl.net\/forum\/starcraft-2\/584380-esl-sold-for-1b-to-saudi-backed-savvy-gaming-group<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1570532,"template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","type":"","auto_type":false,"post":"","stream":"","stream_url":"","waveform_data":[],"duration":0,"bpm":0,"downloadable":false,"download_url":"","purchase_title":"","purchase_url":"","post-count-all":0,"like_count":0,"download_count":0,"editor_note":"","copyright":"","captions":[]},"genre":[81],"artist":[83],"mood":[],"activity":[],"station_tag":[12670,3618,12278,5208,5706,5992,5993,5380,3620,5650,6345,5584,3788,8313,3629,9845,5807,6167,5769,5999,3799,12547,10504,9644,5771,5730,9646,5516,5517,3806,3859,177,7675,5611,5406,3748,6994,3643,3884,6153,5413,5470,3751,5414,5836,3646,12634,7279,5238,5617,3719,5947,5533,5837,6057,3654,3829,6154,12550,3657,3833,7343,3757,3661,3664,3885,5428,6308,8862,3675,12165,10499,6431,6309,3841,3680,3681,7385,5696,6435,7824,3690,3692,3783,5911,3732,6975,8293,5499,5642,3697,3852,3893,3703,3874],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/station\/1570531"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/station"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/station"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1570532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1570531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"genre","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/genre?post=1570531"},{"taxonomy":"artist","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artist?post=1570531"},{"taxonomy":"mood","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mood?post=1570531"},{"taxonomy":"activity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/activity?post=1570531"},{"taxonomy":"station_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/station_tag?post=1570531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}