Blacklist CEO Tryke Gutierrez on MLBB men’s team disbandment: It was beyond our expectations
Tryke Gutierrez, CEO of Blacklist International, spoke to the media in a press conference to discuss the company’s decision to disband their Mobile Legends: Bang Bang men’s team and the future of Blacklist.
Tryke Gutierrez expresses pride for MLBB team
Amid the recent announcement that Blacklist’s MLBB team will be dissolved, Gutierrez looked back at the teams achievement filled with pride. “Multiple championships, local league, world champion, top three most watched esports team in the world – hindi ko talaga ever naisip na aabot kami doon. It was beyond our expectations.”
“However, looking at all of that… as a CEO, [I’m] obliged to assess, like, ‘ito ba talaga ‘yung tamang path for the organization in the next two to three years?” He followed.
MLBB is a huge part of the Philippine esports ecosystem, but it is not the esports scene.
When queried about his thoughts on esports as a sustainable investment, Gutierrez said “Yes, one hundred percent. I fully believe in esports.”
“MLBB is not the esports scene, not in a negative way, it’s just facts,” he continued. “MLBB is a huge part of the Philippine esports ecosystem. However, if you look into esports, there are other titles that are part of the whole system.”
READ: V33Wise confirms departure from Blacklist
Clearing misconceptions
Gutierrez also clarified common misconceptions about their slot in the MLBB Professional League – Philippines. “The franchise slot is a one-time buy. You buy a slot, perpetually, it’s yours.”
He reassured that the men’s MLBB team was not a financial struggle for Blacklist International. Gutierrez then added thoughts as Blacklist’s CEO and future opportunities for the org. “There are other esports titles [Blacklist] can still [enter]. There are other stuff we can do. Hindi siya purely about a profitability conversation eh. For me, it’s really more about a reassessment of the position.”
The team’s recent results did not affect the decision to disband the team, either, Gutierrez says.
READ: M5 reps AP.Bren and Blacklist International Fulfilled by S12 Grand Final
“Pure gratitude” for Agents
The Blacklist International fans, known as “Agents,” is something that the CEO is thankful for. “Hindi bumitaw yung Agents – doon ako talaga sobrang thankful. Naramdaman namin that… ‘yung stickiness ng viewership [for Blacklist International’s games] was always there until the end.”
“Pure gratitude talaga. I’m so thankful for everything that they’ve shown [and] shared. Umiyak sila kasama namin, ngumiti sila kasama namin, natakot sila kasama namin, kinabahan sila kasama namin. For whatever happens in the future of Blacklist International, we’re proud of our past and each one of [the Agents] is part of our past. Kung parte pa din sila ng future namin, then, I’m happy. What I wish is for them to continuously support the players of Blacklist, wherever they are, because they’re family.
“Ako din naman, fan ako n’ung limang ‘yun, eh,” referring to Blacklist’s Season 14 lineup. “Pinanood ko lahat ng games, na-badtrip ako sa lahat ng talo. Fan ako more than a CEO.”
Notifying the players
According to Gutierrez, he personally told the players about the disbandment. “We’ve always tried to be as fair as possible to our players,” he said. “Especially because they were so loyal to us. Nandoon sila kahit hirap kami – kapit, laban. Nakita naman namin eh, nakita namin na nag-stay sila, na lumaban sila, na gusto nila i-angat yung bandera.”
He said that the org supported the players find a new team.
The future of Blacklist International
As of the time of writing, Blacklist International fields a team in MLBB Women’s, PARAVOX, Apex Legends, Honor of Kings, and Pokemon Unite.
Gutierrez was asked what Blacklist looks for when picking up a title or a team. “Number one, we look into the calendar first. ‘Pag walang kalendaryo ang isang titulo, wala ring enough games para makakuha ng sponsorships. Pangalawa, ‘yung community or user base ng isang title,” he answered. “We also look at entering into a new title based on the roster opportunity. Kunwari, maganda ‘yung kalendaryo, maganda ‘yung potential in terms of the community. Ang tanong, sino ba yung team namin?”
He referred to previous teams under Blacklist that were disbanded in the past. “We removed multiple titles in Blacklist International before kasi hindi na kaya, hindi mananalo. Para sa amin, we’re really about winning. Kung hindi kami makaka-posisyon na kayang manalo, parang hindi kami… mag-a-aggressive sa opportunity.”
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