MPL PH shifts to franchise league model, releases initial schedule for Season 8

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL PH) is shifting to a franchise league model for its eighth season.

With the franchise league model, MPL PH said it will align the interests of its stakeholders: from the players, to the teams, and the community.

"Franchise league model is basically an ecosystem with all stakeholders working hand-in-hand to achieve common goals and to be able to better serve the community," MPL PH Director of Business Development Matt Jaron said in a press conference on Wednesday.

With the implementation of a franchise league model, MPL PH said they aim to foster deeper collaboration with local partners, protect the rights and interests of teams and players, give related partners such as casters and panelists viable career options in esports, and give back to the local communities.

“It will provide players greater sustainability and protection – a goal that we’ve been working and striving towards for ever since the inception of MPL PH," Jaron said in a separate statement. "We hope that the shift will encourage more players to participate or compete for MPL PH, and boost growth within the local esports ecosystem."

The league said it will also have a code of conduct to help guide the players in their actions.

Eight initial franchise teams have agreed with this model: Blacklist International, Bren Esports, Echo, Nexplay Evos, Onic PH, RSG PH, Smart Omega, and TNC Pro Team.

MPL PH on Wednesday also announced its schedule for the eighth season.

MPL PH Season 8 will start on August 13 and will run until the third week of October.

The teams will play in a double round robin with the top 6 teams at the end of the elimination round advancing to the playoffs. All games in the playoffs will be a best-of-five series, while the finals will be a best-of-seven affair.

A prize pool of $150,000 will be given to the champion of the tournament.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News