The Premier League is back and will be starting next week on Wednesday the 3rd October. The prestigious tournament will start its third season with a prize pool of $6,000 and ten invited teams from Europe and North-America. All matches will be played in a best of 3 format and the tournament will last for 9 weeks.
An in-game ticket can already be purchased, but streams will be provided via Twitch.tv. Unlike the previous seasons, this season will solely be casted by Matt "A_Spec" Hoving, who will be replacing Luminous and LD.
Controversial discussions have been caused by the TPL's decision not to invite Moscow 5's new roster. The players are currently 8-2 up in StarLadder, accounting for the 2nd place overall for now. TPL has decided, the M5 team would be "too young to compete at a level that high." M5 regrets this decision, but take the decision with composure.
Statement by Moscow 5:
"We feel sorry for the committee having been forced to make such a rough decision and remove our team from the participants. During last weeks our players have really stepped up their game and showed that the M5.BenQ's roster shouldn't be underestimated. We are, as well as any other team, are really motivated by the fact of opportunity at participating in different events as we see it to be the key factor to skill improvement. We will do our best to prepare well enough for the fourth season of the league to fit the requirements of the committee who approved teams like Shakira, FnaticRC, Virtus.pro, Empire, Absolute Legends, Quantic, Dignitas and others. Team M5.BenQ wishes luck to all the participants of the third season, as we also wish spectacular matches to the viewers."
"We feel sorry for the committee having been forced to make such a rough decision and remove our team from the participants. During last weeks our players have really stepped up their game and showed that the M5.BenQ's roster shouldn't be underestimated. We are, as well as any other team, are really motivated by the fact of opportunity at participating in different events as we see it to be the key factor to skill improvement. We will do our best to prepare well enough for the fourth season of the league to fit the requirements of the committee who approved teams like Shakira, FnaticRC, Virtus.pro, Empire, Absolute Legends, Quantic, Dignitas and others. Team M5.BenQ wishes luck to all the participants of the third season, as we also wish spectacular matches to the viewers."
Participants:
Absolute Legends
Counter Logic Gaming
compLexity Gaming FnaticRC Quantic Gaming Skånes Elit Team Dignitas
Team Empire
Team Shakira Virtus.ProPrize Pool TPL3:
1st: $3,000
2nd: $2,000
3rd: $1,000
Links
ThePremierLeague - source
MoscowFive - statement