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{{Short description|2003–2016 South Korean esports league}}
{{Infobox sports league
{{Infobox sports league
| title = StarCraft II Proleague
| title = StarCraft Proleague
| logo = File:StarCraft_Proleague_Logo.png
| logo = File:StarCraft_Proleague_Logo.png
| pixels = 200px
| pixels = 200px
Line 6: Line 7:
| sport = [[StarCraft]], [[StarCraft II]]
| sport = [[StarCraft]], [[StarCraft II]]
| founded = 2003
| founded = 2003
| folded =
| folded = 2016
| inaugural =
| inaugural =
| ceo =
| ceo =
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| country = [[South Korea]]
| country = [[South Korea]]
| continent = [[Asia]]
| continent = [[Asia]]
| champion = [[SK Telecom T1]]
| champion = [[Jin Air Green Wings]]
| most_champs = [[SK Telecom T1]]
| most_champs = [[SK Telecom T1]]
| singles =
| singles =
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}}
}}


'''StarCraft II Proleague''', also known as '''StarCraft Proleague''' or '''Proleague''' for short, is the longest running [[StarCraft]] league in the world and the most prestigious team league. Hosted by the [[KeSPA|Korean eSports Association]] (KeSPA), the league is played [[offline]] in [[South Korea]]. Proleague began in 2003 with the game [[StarCraft: Brood War]] before switching over to [[StarCraft II]] in 2011. It is currently broadcast by [[SPOTV|SPOTVGames]].
'''StarCraft Proleague''', also known as '''StarCraft II Proleague''' or '''Proleague''' for short, was the longest running [[StarCraft]] league in the world and the most prestigious team league. Hosted by the [[KeSPA|Korean eSports Association]] (KeSPA), the league was played [[offline]] in [[South Korea]]. Proleague began in 2003 with the game [[StarCraft: Brood War]] before switching over to [[StarCraft II]] in 2012 and then discontinued in 2016. It was broadcast by [[SPOTV|SPOTVGames]] prior to being discontinued.


== History ==
== History ==
In 2003, the game broadcasting company [[MBCGame]] created the KPGA Team League, the first major team league in [[StarCraft professional competition]].<ref name = "MBC Memorandum">{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/307766-mbcgame-in-memoriam| title = MBCGame: In Memoriam| date = January 31, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = | trans-title = }}</ref> MBCGame's competitor, [[OnGameNet]] created their own team league in response and so two major team leagues were active in the early 2000s.
In 2003, the game broadcasting company [[MBCGame]] created the KPGA Team League, the first major team league in [[StarCraft professional competition]].<ref name = "MBC Memorandum">{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/307766-mbcgame-in-memoriam| title = MBCGame: In Memoriam| date = January 31, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015}}</ref> MBCGame's competitor, [[OnGameNet]] created their own team league in response and so two major team leagues were active in the early 2000s.


In 2005, [[KeSPA]] merged the two team leagues to create the Proleague, a unified league.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" /> [[SK Telecom T1]] swept the first two rounds of the newly formed league and ended up winning the grand finals as well to be the first champion. From its inception, the Proleague format had the teams alternate between 1vs1 and 2vs2 games in a best of five or best of seven match. However, the 2vs2 matches were discontinued in 2008, leaving only 1vs1 games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/view.php?ud=2013121115434589695| title = 스타2 프로리그 2014, 프리시즌 이벤트전 개최| date = December 11, 2013| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = Korean| trans-title = StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014, Pre-season Event Information}}</ref> After the 2008 season, the format of Proleague changed again to span a longer portion of the year, typically starting from the end of one year and ending in the Fall of the next. The 2009 - 2010 season led to the creation of the modern Proleague format where teams face off each other in four or five rounds of [[Round-robin tournament|round robin]]. At the end of the season, the highest scoring teams face off in a single-elimination [[playoffs]] bracket to determine the champion.
In 2005, [[KeSPA]] merged the two team leagues to create the Proleague, a unified league.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" /> [[SK Telecom T1]] swept the first two rounds of the newly formed league and ended up winning the grand finals as well to be the first champion. From its inception, the Proleague format had the teams alternate between 1vs1 and 2vs2 games in a best of five or best of seven match. However, the 2vs2 matches were discontinued in 2008, leaving only 1vs1 games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/view.php?ud=2013121115434589695| title = 스타2 프로리그 2014, 프리시즌 이벤트전 개최| date = December 11, 2013| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = ko| trans-title = StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014, Pre-season Event Information}}</ref> After the 2008 season, the format of Proleague changed again to span a longer portion of the year, typically starting from the end of one year and ending in the Fall of the next. The 2009 – 2010 season led to the creation of the modern Proleague format where teams face off each other in four or five rounds of [[Round-robin tournament|round robin]]. At the end of the season, the highest scoring teams face off in a single-elimination [[playoffs]] bracket to determine the champion.


Prior to the release of [[StarCraft II]] in 2010, [[Blizzard Entertainment]], disputed with KeSPA over [[intellectual property]] rights of broadcasting StarCraft games.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2008/05/133_24407.html| title = StarCraft Losing in Gaming League| date = May 19, 2008| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = | trans-title = }}</ref> This put pressure on KeSPA and in 2011 the case was resolved with an eSports commentator noting that the case was a push to expand the broadcasting market into StarCraft II.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/223866-blizzard-kespa-license-official| title = Blizzard - KeSPA license official| date = May 17, 2011| access-date = | language = | trans-title = }}</ref> The 2011 - 2012 Proleague ended up being a transitional season for the league as featured booth Brood War and [[Wings of Liberty]]. Each match was played alternating between Brood War and Wings of Liberty, with each player having to prepare for both games as well.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/news-archive/338802-spl-opening-day| title = [SPL] Opening Day| date = May 20, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = | trans-title = }}</ref> Following the closure of MBCGame in 2012, [[SPOTV|SPOTVGames]] broadcast Proleague alongside OnGameNet.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" />
Prior to the release of [[StarCraft II]] in 2010, [[Blizzard Entertainment]], disputed with KeSPA over [[intellectual property]] rights of broadcasting StarCraft games.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2008/05/133_24407.html| title = StarCraft Losing in Gaming League| date = May 19, 2008| access-date = November 27, 2015}}</ref> This put pressure on KeSPA and in 2011 the case was resolved with an eSports commentator noting that the case was a push to expand the broadcasting market into StarCraft II.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/223866-blizzard-kespa-license-official| title = Blizzard – KeSPA license official| date = May 17, 2011}}</ref> The 2011 – 2012 Proleague ended up being a transitional season for the league as featured both Brood War and [[Wings of Liberty]]. Each match was played alternating between Brood War and Wings of Liberty, with each player having to prepare for both games as well.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/news-archive/338802-spl-opening-day| title = [SPL] Opening Day| date = May 20, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015}}</ref> Following the closure of MBCGame in 2012, [[SPOTV|SPOTVGames]] broadcast Proleague alongside OnGameNet.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" />


The full transition into StarCraft II came into place for the 2012 - 2013 season which also featured EG-TL, a partnership between rivals [[Team Liquid]] and [[Evil Geniuses]] which made them the first non-Korean team to play in Proleague.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/385998-unholy-alliance| title = Unholy Alliance| date = December 4, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015|language = | trans-title = }}</ref> EG-TL did not achieve much success in Proleague and ultimately pulled out of the league in the following season. OnGameNet stopped broadcasting Proleague starting the 2013 - 2014 season, leaving SPOTVGames as the sole broadcaster for the league.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pgr21.com/pb/pb.php?id=gamenews&no=6565| title = [스타2] SK텔레콤 스타크래프트2 프로리그 2014시즌 - 미디어데이 (+ 사진)| date = December 14, 2013| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = Korean| trans-title = [StarCraft II] SK Telecom StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014 Season - Media Day (and Pictures)}}</ref>
The full transition into StarCraft II came into place for the 2012 – 2013 season which also featured EG-TL, a partnership between rivals [[Team Liquid]] and [[Evil Geniuses]] which made them the first non-Korean team to play in Proleague.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/385998-unholy-alliance| title = Unholy Alliance| date = December 4, 2012| access-date = November 27, 2015}}</ref> EG-TL did not achieve much success in Proleague and ultimately pulled out of the league in the following season. OnGameNet stopped broadcasting Proleague starting the 2013 – 2014 season, leaving SPOTVGames as the sole broadcaster for the league.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pgr21.com/pb/pb.php?id=gamenews&no=6565| title = [스타2] SK텔레콤 스타크래프트2 프로리그 2014시즌 – 미디어데이 (+ 사진)| date = December 14, 2013| access-date = November 27, 2015| language = ko| trans-title = [StarCraft II] SK Telecom StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014 Season – Media Day (and Pictures)}}</ref>

KeSPA announced on October 18, 2016, that Proleague would be discontinued citing sponsorship issues, declining amount of professional teams, and match fixing scandals.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fomos.kr/esports/news_view?lurl=%2Fesports%2Fnews_list%3Fnews_cate_id%3D1&entry_id=34194| title = KeSPA announces discontinuation of StarCraft ProLeague| date = October 18, 2016| access-date = October 18, 2016}}</ref>


== Tournaments ==
== Tournaments ==

=== OnGameNet and MBCGame Leagues ===
=== OnGameNet and MBCGame Leagues ===
[[MBCGame]] hosted their first major team league in 2003.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" />
[[MBCGame]] hosted their first major team league in 2003.<ref name = "MBC Memorandum" />
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-Up
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-up
|-
|-
|2003|| 2003 KeMongSa KPGA Tour Team League || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3 - 1|| [[STX SouL]]
|2003|| 2003 KeMongSa KPGA Tour Team League || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3–1|| [[STX SouL]]
|-
|-
|2003|| 2003 LifeZone KPGA Team League || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3 - 2|| [[Hanbit Stars]]
|2003|| 2003 LifeZone KPGA Team League || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3–2|| [[Hanbit Stars]]
|-
|-
|2003 - 2004|| 2003-2004 LG IBM MBC Team League || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||3 - 2|| [[KT Rolster|KTF MagicNs]]
|2003–2004|| 2003–2004 LG IBM MBC Team League || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||3–2|| [[KT Rolster|KTF MagicNs]]
|-
|-
|2004|| 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League I || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4 - 3|| [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]]
|2004|| 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League I || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4–3|| [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]]
|-
|-
|2004|| 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League II || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4 - 3|| [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]]
|2004|| 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League II || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4–3|| [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]]
|-
|-
|2004 - 2005|| 2004-2005 MBCMovies MBCGame Team League ||[[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3 - 2|| [[WeMade FOX]]
|2004–2005|| 2004–2005 MBCMovies MBCGame Team League ||[[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3–2|| [[WeMade FOX]]
|}
|}


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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-Up
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-up
|-
|-
|2003|| 2003 KTF EVER Cup || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||3 - 0|| [[Woongjin Stars]]
|2003|| 2003 KTF EVER Cup || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||3–0|| [[Woongjin Stars]]
|-
|-
|2003|| 2003 Neowiz Pmang Cup || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3 - 0|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech EX]]
|2003|| 2003 Neowiz Pmang Cup || [[CJ Entus|Suma GO]] ||3–0|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech EX]]
|-
|-
|2004|| 2004 SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[Hanbit Stars]] ||4 - 2|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech & Curitel Curriors]]
|2004|| 2004 SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[Hanbit Stars]] ||4–2|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech & Curitel Curriors]]
|}
|}


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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-Up
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-up
|-
|-
|2005|| SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4 - 2|| [[KT Rolster|KTF MagicNs]]
|2005|| SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4–2|| [[KT Rolster|KTF MagicNs]]
|-
|-
|2006|| SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[MBCGame HERO]] ||4 - 3|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech EX]]
|2006|| SKY Proleague Grand Final || [[MBCGame HERO]] ||4–3|| [[WeMade FOX|Pantech EX]]
|-
|-
|2007|| 2007 Shinhan Proleague Grand Final || [[Lecaf OZ]] ||4 - 2|| [[Samsung KHAN]]
|2007|| 2007 Shinhan Proleague Grand Final || [[Lecaf OZ]] ||4–2|| [[Samsung KHAN]]
|-
|-
|2008|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[Samsung Galaxy (eSports)|Samsung KHAN]] ||4 - 1|| [[CJ Entus|Hite SPARKYZ]]
|2008|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[Samsung Galaxy (eSports)|Samsung KHAN]] ||4–1|| [[CJ Entus|Hite SPARKYZ]]
|-
|-
|2008 - 2009|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||2 - 0|| [[Hwaseung OZ]]
|2008–2009|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||2–0|| [[Hwaseung OZ]]
|-
|-
|2009 - 2010|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4 - 2|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|2009–2010|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4–2|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|-
|-
|2010 - 2011|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4 - 3|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|2010–2011|| Shinhan Bank Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4–3|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|-
|-
|2011 - 2012|| SK Planet Proleague Season 1 || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4 - 3|| [[KT Rolster]]
|2011–2012|| SK Planet Proleague Season 1 || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4–3|| [[KT Rolster]]
|}
|}


=== Hybrid League ===
=== Hybrid League ===
Prior to the switch to [[StarCraft II]], the 2011 - 2012 SK Planet Proleague Season 2 league featured both games.
[[File:SKplanet Starcraft II Proleague Final.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|StarCraft II Proleague Season 2 grand final at the [[Jamsil Students' Gymnasium]]]]

Prior to the switch to [[StarCraft II]], the 2012 SK Planet Proleague Season 2 league featured both games.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-Up
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-up
|-
|-
|2011 - 2012|| SK Planet Proleague Season 2 || [[CJ Entus]] ||2 - 0|| [[Samsung Galaxy (eSports)|Samsung KHAN]]
|2012|| SK Planet Proleague Season 2 || [[CJ Entus]] ||2–0|| [[Samsung Galaxy (eSports)|Samsung KHAN]]
|}
|}


=== StarCraft II Leagues ===
=== StarCraft II Leagues ===
Proleague fully switched to StarCraft II starting with the 2012 - 2013 season.
Proleague fully switched to StarCraft II starting with the 2012 – 2013 season.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-Up
! Year !! Name of Tournament !! Winner !! Result of Final !! Runner-up
|-
|2012–2013|| 2012 – 2013 SK Planet Proleague || [[STX SouL]] ||4–2|| [[Woongjin Stars]]
|-
|-
|2012 - 2013|| 2012 - 2013 SK Planet Proleague || [[STX SouL]] ||4 - 2|| [[Woongjin Stars]]
|2013–2014|| 2014 SK Telecom Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4–2|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|-
|-
|2013 - 2014|| 2014 SK Telecom Proleague || [[KT Rolster]] ||4 - 2|| [[SK Telecom T1]]
|2014–2015|| 2015 SK Telecom Proleague || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4–2|| [[Jin Air Green Wings]]
|-
|-
|2014 - 2015|| 2015 SK Telecom Proleague || [[SK Telecom T1]] ||4 - 2|| [[Jin Air Green Wings]]
|2016|| 2016 SK Telecom Proleague || [[Jin Air Green Wings]] ||4–0|| [[KT Rolster]]
|}
|}


== Current Teams ==
== Teams ==
As of the 2015 season, there are 8 teams in Proleague.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.e-sports.or.kr/board_pro2014.php?b_no=2&_module=proleague&_page=view&b_no=2&b_pid=9999615800| title = KeSPA, 프로리그 차기 시즌 개선안 및 KeSPA컵 확대 발표| date = | access-date = November 25, 2015| language = Korean| trans-title = Proleague and KeSPA Cup Information Announcement}}</ref>
For the 2016 season, the final season, there were 7 teams in Proleague.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/starcraft-2/503039-proleague-media-day| title = Proleague Media Day| access-date = February 16, 2016| language = en}}</ref>


* [[CJ Entus]]
* [[CJ Entus]]
* [[Jin Air Green Wings]]
* [[Jin Air Green Wings]]
* [[KT Rolster]]
* [[KT Rolster]]
* [[:ko:MVP_(e스포츠)MVP|MVP (Korean)]]
* [[:ko:MVP (e스포츠)|MVP (Korean)]]
⚫
* [[Samsung Galaxy (esports)|Samsung Galaxy]]
* [[:ko:프라임_(e스포츠)|Prime (Korean)]]
* [[:ko:스베누 (e스포츠)|Afreeca Freecs (Korean)]]
⚫
* [[Samsung_Galaxy_(esports)|Samsung Galaxy]]
* [[:ko:스베누_(e스포츠)|SBENU (Korean)]]
* [[SK Telecom T1]]
* [[SK Telecom T1]]


== Prize Pool ==
== Prize Pool ==
The prize pool for the grand finals of the 2014 - 2015 Proleague season was a total of 70,000,000 [[Korean Won|KRW]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.esportsearnings.com/tournaments/14545-proleague-2015-playoffs| title = 2015 SK Telecom Proleague Playoffs| date = | access-date = November 25, 2015| language = | trans-title = }}</ref> In addition, each round has its own separate prize pool and additional awards are given out to outstanding players.
The prize pool for the grand finals of the 2014 – 2015 Proleague season was a total of 70,000,000 [[South Korean won|KRW]].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} In addition, each round had its own separate prize pool and additional awards were given out to outstanding players.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|}
|}


== See Also ==
== See also ==
* [[eSports]]
* [[eSports]]
* [[Professional StarCraft competition]]
* [[Professional StarCraft competition]]
Line 146: Line 153:
* [[SPOTV]]
* [[SPOTV]]


== External Links ==
== External links ==
*[http://e-sports.or.kr/proleague2015/ Official Site]
*[http://e-sports.or.kr/proleague2015/ Official Site]
*[https://www.facebook.com/proleague.en/ Official Facebook Page]
*[https://www.facebook.com/proleague.en/ Official Facebook Page]
*[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Proleague Proleague on the StarCraft II Liquipedia]
*[http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/Proleague Proleague on the Brood War Liquipedia]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 160: Line 165:
[[Category:StarCraft competitions]]
[[Category:StarCraft competitions]]
[[Category:Esports competitions in South Korea]]
[[Category:Esports competitions in South Korea]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in South Korea]]

Latest revision as of 19:17, 10 June 2024

StarCraft Proleague
SportStarCraft, StarCraft II
Founded2003
Ceased2016
CountrySouth Korea
ContinentAsia
Last
champion(s)		Jin Air Green Wings
Most titlesSK Telecom T1
Official websiteProleague Official Page (Korean)

StarCraft Proleague, also known as StarCraft II Proleague or Proleague for short, was the longest running StarCraft league in the world and the most prestigious team league. Hosted by the Korean eSports Association (KeSPA), the league was played offline in South Korea. Proleague began in 2003 with the game StarCraft: Brood War before switching over to StarCraft II in 2012 and then discontinued in 2016. It was broadcast by SPOTVGames prior to being discontinued.

History

[edit]

In 2003, the game broadcasting company MBCGame created the KPGA Team League, the first major team league in StarCraft professional competition.[1] MBCGame's competitor, OnGameNet created their own team league in response and so two major team leagues were active in the early 2000s.

In 2005, KeSPA merged the two team leagues to create the Proleague, a unified league.[1] SK Telecom T1 swept the first two rounds of the newly formed league and ended up winning the grand finals as well to be the first champion. From its inception, the Proleague format had the teams alternate between 1vs1 and 2vs2 games in a best of five or best of seven match. However, the 2vs2 matches were discontinued in 2008, leaving only 1vs1 games.[2] After the 2008 season, the format of Proleague changed again to span a longer portion of the year, typically starting from the end of one year and ending in the Fall of the next. The 2009 – 2010 season led to the creation of the modern Proleague format where teams face off each other in four or five rounds of round robin. At the end of the season, the highest scoring teams face off in a single-elimination playoffs bracket to determine the champion.

Prior to the release of StarCraft II in 2010, Blizzard Entertainment, disputed with KeSPA over intellectual property rights of broadcasting StarCraft games.[3] This put pressure on KeSPA and in 2011 the case was resolved with an eSports commentator noting that the case was a push to expand the broadcasting market into StarCraft II.[4] The 2011 – 2012 Proleague ended up being a transitional season for the league as featured both Brood War and Wings of Liberty. Each match was played alternating between Brood War and Wings of Liberty, with each player having to prepare for both games as well.[5] Following the closure of MBCGame in 2012, SPOTVGames broadcast Proleague alongside OnGameNet.[1]

The full transition into StarCraft II came into place for the 2012 – 2013 season which also featured EG-TL, a partnership between rivals Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses which made them the first non-Korean team to play in Proleague.[6] EG-TL did not achieve much success in Proleague and ultimately pulled out of the league in the following season. OnGameNet stopped broadcasting Proleague starting the 2013 – 2014 season, leaving SPOTVGames as the sole broadcaster for the league.[7]

KeSPA announced on October 18, 2016, that Proleague would be discontinued citing sponsorship issues, declining amount of professional teams, and match fixing scandals.[8]

Tournaments

[edit]

OnGameNet and MBCGame Leagues

[edit]

MBCGame hosted their first major team league in 2003.[1]

Year Name of Tournament Winner Result of Final Runner-up
2003 2003 KeMongSa KPGA Tour Team League Suma GO 3–1 STX SouL
2003 2003 LifeZone KPGA Team League Suma GO 3–2 Hanbit Stars
2003–2004 2003–2004 LG IBM MBC Team League SK Telecom T1 3–2 KTF MagicNs
2004 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League I SK Telecom T1 4–3 Suma GO
2004 2004 Tucsan MBCGame Team League II SK Telecom T1 4–3 Suma GO
2004–2005 2004–2005 MBCMovies MBCGame Team League Suma GO 3–2 WeMade FOX

OnGameNet also hosted their own team competitions in 2003 and 2004.

Year Name of Tournament Winner Result of Final Runner-up
2003 2003 KTF EVER Cup SK Telecom T1 3–0 Woongjin Stars
2003 2003 Neowiz Pmang Cup Suma GO 3–0 Pantech EX
2004 2004 SKY Proleague Grand Final Hanbit Stars 4–2 Pantech & Curitel Curriors

United League

[edit]

OnGameNet and MBCGame came together to host Proleague starting in 2005.

Year Name of Tournament Winner Result of Final Runner-up
2005 SKY Proleague Grand Final SK Telecom T1 4–2 KTF MagicNs
2006 SKY Proleague Grand Final MBCGame HERO 4–3 Pantech EX
2007 2007 Shinhan Proleague Grand Final Lecaf OZ 4–2 Samsung KHAN
2008 Shinhan Bank Proleague Samsung KHAN 4–1 Hite SPARKYZ
2008–2009 Shinhan Bank Proleague SK Telecom T1 2–0 Hwaseung OZ
2009–2010 Shinhan Bank Proleague KT Rolster 4–2 SK Telecom T1
2010–2011 Shinhan Bank Proleague KT Rolster 4–3 SK Telecom T1
2011–2012 SK Planet Proleague Season 1 SK Telecom T1 4–3 KT Rolster

Hybrid League

[edit]
StarCraft II Proleague Season 2 grand final at the Jamsil Students' Gymnasium

Prior to the switch to StarCraft II, the 2012 SK Planet Proleague Season 2 league featured both games.

Year Name of Tournament Winner Result of Final Runner-up
2012 SK Planet Proleague Season 2 CJ Entus 2–0 Samsung KHAN

StarCraft II Leagues

[edit]

Proleague fully switched to StarCraft II starting with the 2012 – 2013 season.

Year Name of Tournament Winner Result of Final Runner-up
2012–2013 2012 – 2013 SK Planet Proleague STX SouL 4–2 Woongjin Stars
2013–2014 2014 SK Telecom Proleague KT Rolster 4–2 SK Telecom T1
2014–2015 2015 SK Telecom Proleague SK Telecom T1 4–2 Jin Air Green Wings
2016 2016 SK Telecom Proleague Jin Air Green Wings 4–0 KT Rolster

Teams

[edit]

For the 2016 season, the final season, there were 7 teams in Proleague.[9]

Prize Pool

[edit]

The prize pool for the grand finals of the 2014 – 2015 Proleague season was a total of 70,000,000 KRW.[citation needed] In addition, each round had its own separate prize pool and additional awards were given out to outstanding players.

Place Amount (KRW)
1st 50,000,000
2nd 20,000,000

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "MBCGame: In Memoriam". January 31, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "스타2 프로리그 2014, 프리시즌 이벤트전 개최" [StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014, Pre-season Event Information] (in Korean). December 11, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  3. ^ "StarCraft Losing in Gaming League". May 19, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Blizzard – KeSPA license official". May 17, 2011.
  5. ^ "[SPL] Opening Day". May 20, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Unholy Alliance". December 4, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "[스타2] SK텔레콤 스타크래프트2 프로리그 2014시즌 – 미디어데이 (+ 사진)" [[StarCraft II] SK Telecom StarCraft 2 Proleague 2014 Season – Media Day (and Pictures)] (in Korean). December 14, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "KeSPA announces discontinuation of StarCraft ProLeague". October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  9. ^ "Proleague Media Day". Retrieved February 16, 2016.
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