After seven successful seasons, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines is adopting a franchising model.
A highly reliable source confirmed to Tiebreaker Times that the premier mobile esports league in the Philippines is looking to follow the same model that the MPL-Indonesia started during its fourth season back in 2019.
“Nag meeting na [yung] organizations with Moonton, proposal pa lang. Pero hopefully matuloy by the end of July kung sakaling may makakapagbayad na,” said the source privy of the negotiations between the league and the teams.
According to the source, the league will accommodate eight teams for the upcoming Season Eight. All eight teams are required to pay a one-time franchise fee, which is close to almost 40-million pesos, just like in Indonesia. The league can also expand to up to ten teams but will have to get the approval of the eight-member teams.
Teams can sign at least eight to 10 players, regardless of age, for an MPL season.
Unlike the first seven seasons, the bottom two teams will no longer be eliminated from the league. This also eliminates the need for qualifiers.
Aside from ONIC Esports and Aura Esports, there are also a few Indonesian organizations vying for a spot in the Philippine league said the source. Also looking to secure their memberships are several local squads led by world champion Bren Esports.
Through the franchised model, the MPL is looking to create a sustainable esports environment that will benefit all the parties involved such as the players, the teams, and the league itself.
If the league will fully adapt Indonesia’s blueprint, teams will be given an even playing ground through the hard salary cap system while also having the chance to earn from revenue sharing.
The players, on the other hand, will receive job security as this model will no longer have relegation. Financial security is also next in line as player contracts will have a fixed minimum salary and a minimum contract length of six months per season.
Through this step, it is also likely that an MPL-Philippines Developmental League is bound to emerge.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang developer Moonton and MPL-Philippines have yet to officially announce their plans as of posting time.
