ECS has revealed the on-air talent crew for a new, currently unnamed CS:GO league set to begin in March. The broadcast lineup features ECS staples James Bardolph, Daniel “ddk” Kapadia, and Freya Spiers, along with former Overwatch League commentator Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles. Further details regarding the league are yet to be released, though this looks to be the “B Site” league that already has many big teams attached.
The Esports Championship Series (ECS) has housed esports platform FACEIT’s online CS:GO league since 2016. ECS has hosted eight seasons, each featuring both a North American and European division. The online seasons have concluded in LAN Finals, with each boasting a $500,000+ prize pool. ECS has awarded almost $6.2 million in total prize money since launch. The league’s eighth season crowned Danish powerhouse Astralis as its Finals champion in December.
A report released last week revealed FACEIT would be shutting ECS down to instead produce the “B Site” CS:GO league. Details surrounding the B Site league are still unclear, though names such as Cloud9, MIBR, and Dignitas have been linked with the league. B Site will reportedly require a $2 million buy-in for competing teams, and will operate with a revenue share model. No teams have confirmed their participation in the B Site league yet, and no further information about the league has been released.
Though set roles have not been disclosed, the new CS:GO league’s broadcasts will presumably be hosted by ECS host Freya Spiers. ECS regulars James Bardolph and Daniel “ddk” Kapadia will commentate matches, along with Anders Blume and Jason “moses” O’Toole. Sean “seangares” Gares and Duncan “Thorin” Shields look to be joining the league’s desk as analysts. Former League of Legends coach and Overwatch League commentator Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles joins the broadcast team, officially marking his first venture into professional CS:GO. The talent lineup is rounded out by Auguste “Semmler” Massonnat, who makes a full-time return to Counter-Strike after two years as an Overwatch caster.
MonteCristo stated on Twitter that he and Thorin have been involved with the production of the B Site league for “months.” He explains that the league has been created for endemic esports viewers, and is “for adults, not Disney.” The league will begin competition in March of 2020.
