I have been wondering a similar thing myself. Would love an answer

I 100% agree with you. 2 is a pretty big step back, and should be avoided if at all possible.

But 0 is an even bigger step back. And should be avoided at all costs

I'm honestly baffled.

We agreed that ESEA can't support the size of the TF2 division the way it is.

ESEA reps have - on multiple occasions - told us that TF2 will be dropped if we can't reach a critical mass.

Myself and others presented alternatives that allow us to decrease the cost to maintain TF2 in such an event that it cannot reach its critical mass - such as [b]right now[/b]

At which point you counter that you're happy with the way things are now.

This isn't the first time this strange lack of compromise has happened.
When I suggested that Killing decrease the prize pot, he responded the same way:

Yes. People agree with you. 4 Divisions is better. A big prize pot is better. But it's not working right this minute. Why not consider a middle alternative, halfway between giant league and no league?

Technically, that would steepen the playing field.

The reason you don't have teams paid is because you haven't promised a season. I understand that you have offered refunds, but the community has shown that it is hesitant to commit to less than a sure thing. So, if you want to keep TF2 in ESEA, you should promise a season. Now, I understand that this might not seem like a financially prudent decision with the way things are now, which is why...

So cut the divisions! People are saying they're willing to compromise on division count, on prize pot, on everything BUT having a league. The people want a league. The people don't NEED an IM and a Main.

In order to make it affordable for your business! Nobody WANTS to cut the prize pot, but it's the (far) lesser of two evils. If given a choice between a season in ESEA with a lousy prize pot and no more seasons in ESEA, I think everyone in the community would agree that they'll take the smaller prize pot. This is a suggestion to help make it less detrimental to your business in order to keep the eSport. If you wanted, you could say something like "the prize pot for s16 of ESEA will be determined based on the number of participants." This way, you can hold a league whether or not you're shelling out so that you do not break the bank.

Wonderful.

The strategy of telling players to pay up or lose the league has not worked.
There was already a week to join and pay up, and very few did. Mostly because people were very skeptical as to whether ESEA would exist.

The solution is simple:
Promise a season!
Tell the community that NEXT season's existence is contingent upon THIS season's participation
Cut the prize pot so you can afford it (people are not playing for the money!)
Keep the Lan
THEN Extend the deadline

After that, keep an OPEN dialogue with the community and work to regain their trust.
I'm not saying you don't deserve their trust, or that you are untrustworthy. I'm saying there is a segment of the community that does not trust you. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong; it simply is. Win it back.

That, in my opinion, is how ESEA survives.

TF2 Community: "We want changes to ESEA"

ESEA: "...." (not listening)

Cevo comes along.

TF2 Community: "We're going to play in Cevo"

ESEA: "If you do, we're going to dump you! We're willing to changes and listen to you. But first, you have to all drop Cevo and get refunds. After you do that, MAYBE we'll stay around."

Firstly, the pot does not put players in your league. I promise you. The LAN does, t he competition does, the prestige does. But the size of the money is largely irrelevant, especially to the player base you're currently lacking

Secondly, no one is saying they want to cut a tier or drop the pot. But those are highly preferable to dropping the game altogether. Right?

Well, either A) they actually do make money or B) they hope to someday make money or C) tf2 supports their other revenue streams in other ways or D) they are mismanaging their business

Either way, they need players and are bleeding themselves to death with a prize pot

That would be great!
But you're talking about dropping the game altogether, and I'm just suggesting that if it comes to that, there a middle ground.

The prize pot is presumably your largest tf2 expense, and it has questionable value in attracting a low level player base, which is what you need.

Why not set it at a sustainable level?

But that's ridiculous.
Esea is ultimately a business that provides a product for sale. You need to at least operate at break even to survive. You're allowed to make money.

Do you mean to tell me that tf2 is eseas video game love, and that they support it because the owners enjoy it? I mean that would be possible but why is dropping the game even an option here? Just shrink the prize pot, Damn. Problem solved

I will say that it's pretty great that tf2 has a community that cares so much about the game, as seen here. Yeah, there's a lot of disagreement, but we've all got the same goal here, and there are a shit ton of vocal supporters.

Why are they supporting tf2 if they aren't making any money off of it?

Sorry but I just don't see the point of incentivizing a customer base that loses your business money.

As a business decision. Limiting their client base hurts, no matter what people say about whether they do or do not turn a profit. It is in their best interest to preserve the gaming communities which they serve

I would contend that it is the fact that LAN is the finals of the season, the best four teams in America, and a back to back to back two day affair with exciting coverage that makes it valuable to your excitement. The fact that it is in person with low ping probably factors into it very little from a spectator perspective.

The recent tftv zowie tournament showed that high level competition is just as exciting online, and draws similar viewers.

From a player perspective, I understand that low ping is preferred, but if you're trying to cut costs and preserve the system, while we're asking for sacrifices, asking high level players to tolerate the ping seems to be a possibility