UKCT - UKCounterTerrorist

On the 13th of March it was officially announced that the CPL had stopped operations and the organization would cease to run eSports events. This came as no surprise, as rumours seemed to point towards the brands demise.

However, as of today the organization is under the control of "an investment group based in the United Arab Emirates.".

The full statement on the CPL homepage reads:

NewWorld.com, Inc., a leader in the interactive entertainment industry in the USA has announced that its intellectual property, Cyberathlete Professional League® (CPL) has been acquired by an investment group based in the United Arab Emirates.

Ms. Angela Summers, a spokesperson for the acquiring investment group, said, “We are planning to launch a new company which will be named “CPL, LLC” and will be headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. The new company will organise videogame tournaments worldwide.”

Ms. Angela Summers continued, “The CPL is a globally recognised brand that has more history in the videogame industry than all other leagues combined. We look forward to reintroducing gamers to a better, larger and more exciting CPL.”

Angel Munoz, the founder and former president of the CPL, said, “This acquisition is just the kind of positive support that the international interactive entertainment industry needs. I look forward to seeing CPL continue under new management, adding further accolades to its history.”

Founded in June 1997, the CPL is a pioneer in professional video game tournaments and over the course of ten years hosted 60 international main events, sanctioned 600 international qualifiers and awarded $3 million in cash prizes. It began as a small LAN event in Dallas, Texas, and went on to initiate world-class competitions across five continents.

Further details and marketing contact information will be released before the end of September 2008.

No reference is made to the future role (if any) of the former face of the CPL, Angel Munoz. Considering the last year of the CPLs activity, it is unlikely he will even be involved in a consultant role.

Modified by Nic on August 25, 2008, 11:43 am.