PUBG Mobile to Introduce the Super League with a Franchised Model

The Southeast Asian esports scene is about to experience a major shake-up with the introduction of the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL). This new league is expected to replace the PMPL SEA Championship, which is presently the top-level regional competition in the area. It is supposed to be a franchised league for PUBG Mobile.

Launch of PMSL

Tencent, the developer of PUBG Mobile, announced its plans to begin franchising in the Southeast Asian region back in January 2022. Now, it seems that those plans are finally coming to fruition with the PMSL set to launch in the second half of 2023. In a now-deleted post by the PUBG Mobile Esports Vietnam Facebook account, Tencent confirmed that the PMPLSEA Championship is going to be replaced by the PMSL.

Participating Countries

The PMPLSEA Championship is made up of top teams from individual PMPLs (PUBG Mobile Pro Leagues) in countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. These countries will likely continue to be a part of the PMSL, providing a platform for the best PUBG Mobile teams in the region to showcase their skills and compete for the top spot.

Buy-in and Financial Structure

According to  Liquipedia editor Hesketh that the buy-in for a franchised slot in the PMSL will be $500,000. This is a significant investment, but it is a reasonable figure for an esport with a steady and growing viewership. The Southeast Asian market is also a mature one when it comes to esports, with many brands ready to invest in the industry. However, the financial structure of the league is still unclear.

OFFICIAL: @EsportsPUBGM "PUBG MOBILE SUPER LEAGUE"

Super League is the rumored SEA Hybrid Franchised League

- Buyin approx. $500,000, PUBGM targets 10-15 buyers
- non-Franchised can qualified through National PMPL (only Top 1 or 2)
- This replaced the old PMPL SEA Championship pic.twitter.com/dOpXoJeqtF

— hesketh2 (@subzidite2) January 17, 2023

Open or Closed League

However, the PMSL will not be a completely closed franchised league like the Overwatch League (OWL). Tencent's Director of Esports, James Yang, has stated that the league will be "lighter and more open," which suggests that while some slots will be locked in for franchised organizations, there will also be open slots for teams to qualify through.

Franchised Model in PUBG Mobile Esports

This move towards franchising is not a new concept for PUBG Mobile esports. In China, the Peacekeeper Elite League (PEL) is a franchised league, and in Japan, the PUBG Mobile Japan League (PMJL) has a similar format. However, the PMSL will be the first time a franchised league is being implemented for the global esports ecosystem of PUBG Mobile.

Benefits of Franchising

Franchising is seen as a positive step for the game, as teams will be able to share in the revenue from esports competitions, rather than relying solely on prize pools. This stability will also enable teams to secure better sponsorship deals, which will help to further grow the esports scene in Southeast Asia.

Expansion of Franchised Model

It remains to be seen whether Tencent will expand the franchised model to other regions if the PMSL proves to be a success. The Southeast Asian market is a perfect fit for this type of league, with mature esports organizations and a huge fanbase. However, other regions may not be as well-suited to the franchised model. For example, South Asia has a large number of fans but, since the omission of India, there are not many esports organizations that could invest the required amount into the game. Western markets, on the other hand, have esports organizations, but PUBG Mobile lacks popularity in those areas.

In conclusion, the introduction of the PMSL is a significant step for PUBG Mobile esports in Southeast Asia. The franchised model will bring stability and revenue sharing for teams, and the league is expected to attract more investment and sponsorship from brands. The confirmation of the PMSL's launch and the replacement of the PMPL SEA Championship were made through a now-deleted post by the PUBG Mobile Esports Vietnam Facebook account and the buy-in for the franchised slot was reported by Liquipedia editor Hesketh. While more details about the PMSL are yet to be announced, it is certainly an exciting development for the esports scene in Southeast Asia and could pave the way for similar franchised leagues in other regions.