The recent developments involving Aurora, the newest team in the MPL Philippines, and Blacklist International’s former players during the offseason have cast a shadow over the integrity of player recruitment practices in the league.
In a surprising development that sent shockwaves through the MPL scene, Aurora signed several members from Blacklist International for their upcoming debut in Season 14.
The recruitment spree raised red flags, particularly after Blacklist International co-owner Tryke Gutierrez publicly criticized the lack of transparency in the move on social media.
Gutierrez alleged that Aurora directly approached some of their members – who still have six months left in their contracts – without seeking permission from the management, prompting serious questions about the adherence to proper recruitment protocols.
“Akala mo normal lang lahat and then came people na kumausap sa mga players mo, and then biglang nag-iba yung desisyon nila, and then biglang okay buyout na lang, kasi ayaw [na] nila, and that hurts… It’s not betrayal, it’s the lack of transparency,” said Tryke in a video.
“Hindi ko na-feel na tinraydor ako. Ang na-feel ko is sana sinabihan po ako. Hindi nung mga players ko, kung hindi nung mga taong kumausap sa kanila,” he added.
Julius “Banoobs” Mariano, who previously managed Minana EVOS and is now part of the Tier One-backed squad, supported Tryke’s comments and disclosed that Aurora engaged with the players and coaches involved while Season 13 was still ongoing.
“Grabe ‘yung narrative, seems legit,” he said sarcastically. “Kinontak after ng MPL playoffs daw, pero may gc [group chat] na habang ongoing ‘yung season,” he said.
Contacted by Tiebreaker Times for comment, the league said that they have thoroughly vetted the transfer process and found that the move was in compliance with the league’s anti-poaching rule.
Still, the aftermath of the issue highlighted the unethical practice of recruiting players, which, as it turns out, is widespread not just in the MPL PH, but overseas as well.
WIDESPREAD PROBLEM
(C) MPL PH
An executive from an MPL PH team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that attempts at poaching have been rampant in the scene for quite some time, with several local and overseas teams directly reaching out to players and bypassing their mother organizations.
“Ilang beses nang nangyari sa team namin ‘yan, but the players stayed loyal to us. I don’t like them going straight to the players kasi mahirap na, baka kung ano-ano na lang sabihin knowing na mga bata pa kasi ‘yung mga players,” said the team official.
“Kasi ‘yung iba, they’re doing it under the table para lang malason nila ‘yung player and at the same time makuha nila ng mura, sobrang mura to the point na ‘yung player hindi na makikipag-coordinate nang maayos sa team niya para lang makalipat,” it continued.
“Kailangan dumaan sa legal process. Ganun lang naman dapat. Alam naman ng lahat na kailangan dumaan ka muna sa team before you go to the player. Lahat naman dapat ganun kasi it’s very wrong, very unprofessional.”
A coach who works with an MPL team overseas revealed that the reason why these organizations go directly to the players is to know their current salary and make an offer that is much, much higher.
“Actually, marami talagang ganun. Either org or players mismo ‘yung gumagawa. One reason kasi kaya patago silang nagre-recruit, nagtatanong sila ng salary range ng players tapos hihigitan nila ‘yung current para masilaw ‘yung players,” said the coach.
Another source bared that there are even cases where teams abroad are using their players as proxies to recruit for them.
An individual from another MPL team abroad stated that they also face the same issue overseas, sharing that several teams tried to poach some of their players after they had won a championship in the past.
“Actually nangyayari talaga ‘yan. For example, nung nag-champion kami may mga teams rin na nag approach sa players ko directly,” said the person, who also spoke under the condition of anonymity.
“Problema talaga siya kasi kahit sa traditional sports nangyayari rin ‘to.”
HOW PLAYER TRANSFERS WORK
(C) Blacklist International
Teams interested in acquiring a player who is currently under contract must first reach out to the player’s current organization before initiating any discussions with the player.
This initial step ensures that the current team is informed of the interest and allows for the negotiation of terms, such as a buyout or compensation, if necessary.
If a player wishes to leave their current team, the organization may place the player on the transfer list, signaling that the player is available for acquisition.
In such cases, some organizations may proactively contact potential suitors or allow the player to reach out to interested teams.
COMBATING POACHING
(C) MOONTON Games
Make no mistake, MOONTON Games is actively taking decisive measures to address the issue.
Enter the anti-poaching rule.
Designed to penalize teams found guilty of contacting players directly without their management’s approval, the hope is that this new rule will deter improper recruitment practices and ensure a fairer process in player transfers.
Penalties, including bans, will be given to players or organizations found guilty of poaching.
As MOONTON implements these measures, the focus now shifts to how effectively they will curb poaching and uphold integrity in player recruitment.
