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hey y'all: it's time for the semi-annual thread about agencies, esports teams, and you
if you're a streamer or player, PLEASE read this thread before deciding to sign with an agency or a team
this applies to vstreamers/vtubers too!
if you're a streamer or player, PLEASE read this thread before deciding to sign with an agency or a team
this applies to vstreamers/vtubers too!
you might be asking, Cable, are you qualified to talk about this?
yes!
I've acted as an agent for esports players in the past and have navigated the streaming space for almost 9 years at this point. this thread is based off my personal experiences and those of my players
yes!
I've acted as an agent for esports players in the past and have navigated the streaming space for almost 9 years at this point. this thread is based off my personal experiences and those of my players
while the landscape for streaming and esports has gotten a *lot* better in the past few years, there are still a litany of issues cropping up every day with ill-prepared orgs and ill-equipped teams screwing over the talent they signed
I don't want anyone else to go through that.
I don't want anyone else to go through that.
if you are an independent streamer or player and want to sign with an org or a team, stop and take a few minutes, hours, or days to think about it
in a lot of cases, the loss of autonomy that comes with an agency isn't worth the benefits that they'll give you
in a lot of cases, the loss of autonomy that comes with an agency isn't worth the benefits that they'll give you
another issue is that a lot of agencies or teams just *aren't* legit
many of these "companies" aren't registered anywhere, have no budget, and won't be held accountable for their actions if shit does hit the fan
on top of this, getting paid what you're owed can be a struggle
many of these "companies" aren't registered anywhere, have no budget, and won't be held accountable for their actions if shit does hit the fan
on top of this, getting paid what you're owed can be a struggle
there are a lot of horror stories about smaller teams or orgs stealing money from players and streamers and in some cases completely ghosting players (hey there, Denial!)
if you still wanna sign, you should at least check to make sure the org is legit first:
if you still wanna sign, you should at least check to make sure the org is legit first:
first and foremost, is there evidence that the org is incorporated somewhere?
usually you can find this info on the org's website. if the org doesn't have their own domain and is using a service like carrd/wix: RED FLAG
copyright notices are a great way to verify this:
usually you can find this info on the org's website. if the org doesn't have their own domain and is using a service like carrd/wix: RED FLAG
copyright notices are a great way to verify this:
next, what's the org's track record?
talk to streamers or players on the current roster. ask about salary, partnerships, sponsorships, what cut the org/agency takes
talk to former players as well if possible!
if no one is signed, that's a possible red flag
talk to streamers or players on the current roster. ask about salary, partnerships, sponsorships, what cut the org/agency takes
talk to former players as well if possible!
if no one is signed, that's a possible red flag
another thing to note: what is the org offering you?
an agency, for instance, should have a number of contacts with potential sponsors and the ability to line up deals for you. most reputable orgs will fast-track your Twitch or YouTube partnership as well
an agency, for instance, should have a number of contacts with potential sponsors and the ability to line up deals for you. most reputable orgs will fast-track your Twitch or YouTube partnership as well
any agency or org whose main drawing point is "community", "family", or "exposure" is almost 100% a scam.
these agencies are functionally equivalent to Twitch Teams, but the difference is that Twitch Teams won't take away your IP or limit what you can do as a streamer
these agencies are functionally equivalent to Twitch Teams, but the difference is that Twitch Teams won't take away your IP or limit what you can do as a streamer
if you've gone through these steps and are still ready to sign, MAKE SURE YOU GET A LAWYER TO READ THE CONTRACT
if there is no contract, bail immediately. if you want to hear my personal horror story about "no contract partnerships", DM me
if there is no contract, bail immediately. if you want to hear my personal horror story about "no contract partnerships", DM me
the important part of having a lawyer read contracts is that they will be able to interpret the often confusing and sometimes misleading legal jargon
it's well worth spending more money here to avoid pain from contract disputes or issues later on down the road
it's well worth spending more money here to avoid pain from contract disputes or issues later on down the road
for players signing to teams: make sure that the buyout clause is reasonable!
as good as the contract might be, there's nothing worse than being stuck with a prohibitively large buyout preventing you from playing for other teams in case yours falls apart (e.g. ScreaM)
as good as the contract might be, there's nothing worse than being stuck with a prohibitively large buyout preventing you from playing for other teams in case yours falls apart (e.g. ScreaM)
also: check how much of a cut of prize money your org is taking!
orgs generally will take no cut or a very small cut of prize money. if the cut is above 10%, this is a red flag and something you should discuss with the org and/or an agent
orgs generally will take no cut or a very small cut of prize money. if the cut is above 10%, this is a red flag and something you should discuss with the org and/or an agent
finally, some last few things:
if you're a larger streamer, i implore you to get an agent from a legitimate talent agency like one of the following:
Evolved:
https://evolvedtalent.com/
UTA:
https://www.unitedtalent.com/esports/
Level Up:
https://levelupesportsagency.com/about-us/
if you're a larger streamer, i implore you to get an agent from a legitimate talent agency like one of the following:
Evolved:
https://evolvedtalent.com/
UTA:
https://www.unitedtalent.com/esports/
Level Up:
https://levelupesportsagency.com/about-us/
an agent, especially one with contacts in the industry, will help you secure lucrative partnerships/sponsorships and help you to grow your personal brand
being your own agent will only get you so far
being your own agent will only get you so far
navigating contracts and organizations is a minefield that most people, be they streamers or players, are unprepared to deal with
this thread isn't an end-all be-all guide, but it is a starting point for those of you looking to move beyond being independent
this thread isn't an end-all be-all guide, but it is a starting point for those of you looking to move beyond being independent
as an append: if you are starting an org/agency:
REGISTER.
YOUR.
COMPANY.
seriously, the process for registering a corporation only takes a few weeks to finish and is pretty cheap. i just finished setting up an LLC here for ~$120 to publish my games
REGISTER.
YOUR.
COMPANY.
seriously, the process for registering a corporation only takes a few weeks to finish and is pretty cheap. i just finished setting up an LLC here for ~$120 to publish my games
there's no excuse for running an org without creating a corporate entity to run it as well
this will also help to protect YOU and YOUR ASSETS in case of any lawsuits that may come about in the future, or any financial difficulties with your company.
this will also help to protect YOU and YOUR ASSETS in case of any lawsuits that may come about in the future, or any financial difficulties with your company.
