Gamers get $1m MLG gig

Tsquared signs for $250k, Final Boss signs for $1 million in deal with Major League Gaming; three-year contracts largest in pro-gaming history.

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Major League Gaming, a professional gaming league that currently tours across the US, today announced it has signed a new group of cyber athletes to the largest contract in pro-gaming history. Tom Taylor, also known as Tsquared, and the Final Boss team of David "Walshy" Walsh, brothers Thomas and Daniel Ryan, and Ryan "Saiyan" Danford, each signed three-year deals worth a total of $1.25 million dollars.

Tsquared is known in the gaming community as the leader of team Str8 Rippin and has been featured in various television shows and publications, including MTV's True Life, the Wall Street Journal, and Stuff Magazine. The 19-year-old also started his own company, Gaming-Lessons.com, which provides personal instruction in games.

"Like any professional athlete, I want to be the best at what I do, and getting this contract shows the dedication I've put forth," said Tom "Tsquared" Taylor. "I'm living the dream playing video games for a living."

Final Boss is the country's leading four-man Halo 2 team, according to MLG, and has dominated the competition in Bungie's game, winning first place in the 2004 and 2005 MLG national championships.

Each of the five gamers will earn $250,000 for their commitment to MLG, which hits the Anaheim Convention Center this Friday for its next stop. For more information on the league, head over to the official MLG Web site.

86 Comments

  • The1stFishBone

    Posted Jan 13, 2007 12:55 am PT

    final boss is owned by Gilbert Arenas.

  • halo2maniac5819

    Posted Dec 23, 2006 3:37 pm PT

    I'm gonna go play halo till I'm as good as those guys. bye.

  • aikido7thdan

    Posted Jul 6, 2006 7:27 am PT

    damn I want to get paid $250K to play video games and travel constantly, congradulations guys on getting a sweet job that pays out the whazoo and lets you basically screw around all day thats why I love america.

  • Sanguis_Malus

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 1:48 am PT

    Absolute geeks , bet they have never removed any girls Knickers before !

  • alphazealot

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 10:18 pm PT

    I'm quite surprized at much of the negative feedback. MLG, along with those who signed contracts, are taking quite a risk here. They are piorneering something that they believe in, and frankly, that takes more guts and they have gotten more accomplished then most people have.

    Tsquared dropped out of school to play video games full time. Dumb decision? Well he was making decent cash then, and now MLG signed him to a contract so he has even more. Plus it costs over $60 an hour to get a lesson from him.

    Most of you seem to be jealous. The problem isn't MLG or the people who signed to play. So long as people want to play these types of games then these types of scenarios will exist. These organizations and players are simply taking advantage of such oppurtunitites.

    Ohh, and quit with the negative steriotypes. Honestly, most of these guys don't play 24/7, nor are they fat/wear glasses/have no social life/you name it. They live balanced lives, except they have their dream job. What will happen 3 years from now? Who knows. They can all go back to school and get degree and continue on lifes paths if nessasary.

    illzmasterofyou: Playing an instrument is just memorizing button combinations and blowing air out of your lungs/using your hands in some odd way. Or do you not see it that way? Don't generalize things you don't know anything about. That goes for most of the posters here as well.

  • soundchas3r

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 5:43 pm PT

    So these folks live a gamers dream for 3 years...or will they ? Their time will be owned by this gaming deal. Playing, traveling, promoting and having virtually no life outside of their work is their fate. Ask anyone who has done it ... living on the road is no sweet deal. And when their contracts are up they can join the rest of us at having virtually no life outside work, if their work experience can land them real jobs.
    I wish them luck and hope they can make the best of what life has to offer when play becomes work. I hope they can remember to have some fun after the first month or so.

  • XxdaaznsagexX

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    while I do think that the money can and should be more well spent, these guys are gamers and they are the best at what they do. Saying that they haven't worked hard for it is absolutely ludicrous. Watch the MTV True Life episode about tsquared and you'll see the time he puts into the game while still having an average life. He has a girlfriend and he has friends. The thing is that's all we know about him and until you know more about what else he does, you shouldn't judge him. Maybe he plans on going to college or gets a great job in gaming, who knows? I wish Tsquared and all gamers the best of luck in all their future endeavors because we all should be behind him because we're all the same: we're all gamers.

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 10:33 am PT

    Hey, that's great! And while we're at it why don't we reward people for being born a particular sex or because they can read and write.

    That is ridiculous. People that actually WORK for a living get peanuts and these drop outs get money for sitting on their ass pushing buttons. Why don't we give the money to people that REALLY deserve it, like the teaching community, public servants, etc. People that every day risk their lives in their occupation (and yes that includes teachers in this sick day and age). You have little brats shooting up schools and killing teachers and students because they're unstable individuals and teachers get paid squat.

    It makes me sick and just highlights how screwed up this country's priorities are when gaming becomes a "sport" deserving on monetary gain.

  • illzmasterofyou

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 10:31 am PT

    I don't think theres anything to boast about being a pro gamer...does it take talent...well thats debatable some of these freaks take games far too serious im sure they could beat me on any game...but end of the day can they say they've actually achieved something. Musical achievement should be praised...as well as educational or life achievements like having a family or business or job success. But being the best at a computer game hahah don't make me laugh means squat to most people.

  • sirbargearse

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 10:01 am PT

    Wow... back in 1991 to 1995 I was in the industry fulltime partly as a games tester and reviewer. I thought that was the bomb. But did you guys see their pay packet? Bet their mums feel silly having yelled at them to "TURN THAT BLASTED THING OFF!" for all those years!

  • durial117

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 9:46 am PT

    Thats cool, you would have to be crazy to sacrifice relationships and time for a videogame but that is still cool that they get payed to push buttons and look at a screen. And its good to hear that they play Halo 2. Great game.

  • SNKrock

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 8:57 am PT

    cmon, its pure publicity. it's the publishers and bigwigs behind the scenes pushing leagues, and tournaments and stuff like that. most gamers are content with just playing the game.

  • zehoo

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 5:41 am PT

    I've never understood how someone can play a first person shooter with a control pad. The level of control is SO limited.

  • tigergamer

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 2:33 am PT

    This is the dumbest thing I have seen so far this year. Whoever is paying these guys have to be idiots. I just don't see the point in paying anyone to play a game for a living.

  • GrayWolf323

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 12:01 am PT

    maybe I should've played games more throughout high school :p

  • holenjd

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 10:20 pm PT

    When Halo 2 comes out for PC, i'd like to see Final Boss play FATAL1TY.
    I think FATAL1TY would wipe the floor with them. He certainly did with me on
    Quake 4

  • nintendofox

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 9:35 pm PT

    Video Games are fun and all.....but playing video games for a living.....??? I would just feel so worthless. I could not see wasting my life on video games alone. Such an empty pursuit.

  • rynmls

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 8:55 pm PT

    i wish i get that kind of job...

  • Lyrian

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 8:32 pm PT

    ath·lete

    A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

    ath·let·ic

    1. Of or befitting athletics or athletes.
    2. Characterized by or involving physical activity or exertion; active: an athletic lifestyle; an athletic child.
    3. Physically strong and well-developed; muscular: an actor with an athletic build. See Synonyms at muscular.

    Professional gamer, yes. Very good at games, yes. Much better than me yes. Possibly in better shape with a hotter girlfriend than me, yes.

    Athlete, definitely not.

    (Also applies to darts, pool, curling and bowling. No offense.)

  • nintendorocks

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 7:15 pm PT

    Wow ,getting paid to play video games. What a life these guys have. I would like to play one of these guys. I'd probably get owned but it would be an experience.

  • Fallout_red

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 6:12 pm PT

    Looks games are finally paying!!!

  • DesmondPills

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 5:45 pm PT

    Sociologist, you are one of very few people that have my respect on this forum for your comments. My thoughts are right on par with yours.

  • Sociologist

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 5:06 pm PT

    I agree with many of you who decry the fact that these people are calling themselves athletes and talented. Nearly anyone who pours their energy into one particular area at the expense of other areas can become quite adept at said area. It's not jealousy (as some here have said) to question the very foundation of calling video gamers athletes, as well as the societal implications that such a label will have. I also found it quite humorous that some people here defended the contracts by constantly referring to their hot, and supportive girlfriends as if that legitimizes their endeavors. lol. Undoubtedly, the gaming industry will increase in size exponentially over the next few years, and people will do whatever they can to capitalize on its success. With that being said, it is ridiculous to call playing electronic entertainment devices a sport, or those who partake in this sort of thing "athletes." Moreover, some here have said that anyone would take this deal if they had such an opportunity. Well, it's sad to say that some people here seem to value playing recreational video games over education and bettering themselves and contributing to society in a meaningful way.

  • Bizzar3

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 4:44 pm PT

    ...too bad they both suck at Halo.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 3:58 pm PT

    Talk about the dream job right there. Wish I was half-decent at shooters to earn that kind of money. Good luck to them and congrats.

  • UmonDaisuke

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    fraudbot:

    People can llive productive lives and still excel at hobbies. Again, comparing them to pro athletes is beyond absurd, and so would a comparison to martial artists (who have other employments in addition to training).

    Perhaps there is some jealousy in some of the comments here, but I very much doubt they came from level headed adults. Gaming tourneys existed for years btw, with cash rewards too (fighter tourneys that MLG failed at including); I'm referring to the idea of having to play games for living. That's like getting paid to drink.... you're having tons of fun there, and at the end, you've done nothing to advance yourself in any way.

  • Matz

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:58 pm PT

    WHY NOT ME???

  • fraudbot

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    so many people have posted jealous and angry comments......It's like people are pissed that they can't sit at home and become good enough at anything (even outside of videogames) to get paid a million bucks for it........everybody take a moment to remember the things in their life the make it worth living

  • abelmaestro

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    WTF, I`m better than them hands down!!!!

  • UmonDaisuke

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:24 pm PT

    I like attending tourneys (granted fighting game ones that are actually fun to watch), but this is ridiculous. Glad I'm not the only one who's finding this extremely odd, especially that they're calling themselves athletes. It's quite an insult to real athletes who endure training, and ultimately prevail. They're doing something that conditions them mentally and physically. What do games do? They're just entertainment.

  • vyrizzle

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:17 pm PT

    Well congrats to them, but this still doesnt give them celebrity status. If i could be playing video games for a living WITH celebrity status(i.e. getting into all the cool clubs and getting free schwag everywhere i go) i would definatly do it. But only if Paris was by my side to tell me "thats hot" every time i frag someone!

  • Imallvol7

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 2:05 pm PT

    I dont care what you say, this isnt a sport and you shouldnt be paid for it. I say this needs to stop now!

  • SNKrock

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    Can we get drafted into these leagues? how about high school teams? anyone?

  • Chebwa

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:46 pm PT

    LOLZ! Look at the picture!

  • hirushubi2

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    It does not matter even if you are getting payed alot of money to play video games for a living it is still just playing video games for a living.

  • Rammstein_dx

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    Sell Outs

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:05 pm PT

    Thats awesome live the dream guys live the dream

  • CrystalFox

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:45 pm PT

    I agree with the first guy

  • mcsteve61

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    This sounds cool at first, and disturbing a few moments later.
    I mean, really, gamers?
    Kind of jealous, but not much.
    It's like having sex for a living--not so much fun when it's a obligatory.
    But still interesting.

  • langrisser2005

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:39 pm PT

    Good for them.. but really money can be spent better elsewhere.

  • saytr666

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    Way ta go Cat-Daddies... Big Bucks for gaming...about **** time ..people get paid to sit on there ass without a 4 year degree...Smoke a big ass Bowl of that Dodie for me

  • rbarahona

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    I can recall the days in which you played just for the fun; now, everything is going pro. I'm not complaining, if they are good playing videogames then that's the way to go.

    Congratulations to Tsquared and Final Boss, they are awesome gamers and they deserve those contracts.

  • razman55

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:22 pm PT

    I would love to be them

  • runstalker

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    Remember: these guys are like the peak-era Michael Jordan of video game skills. The games industry rakes in 13 billion a year. It's easy to make stars out of pro gamers when there's profit involved for all. When we're all wearing motion sensing suits and real-time graphics are better than current CG quality, imagine the kind of competitive gaming we'll see then.

    And I've met several pro gamers. Guess what? They aren't that nerdy or geeky. They're quite similar to athletes, in terms of how much they train and practice. They aren't game/anime geeks and don't conduct themselves like nerdy socially inept, poorly-groomed, hunch-backed message board dwellers. And all 3 had hot girlfriends supporting them, within shouting distance.

  • pfef1987

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    You people obviously no nothing of mlg. theres tournaments every month for ssb melee and halo and other games but u have to pay to enter and there making all kinds of money thats how they can afford this, and it would be sweet to sti there and get fat for money and all of u no this. u can read about mlg at its website. www.mlgpro.com

  • ubj007

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:10 pm PT

    Cool.

  • Bruceleeman

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    that's just ridiculous, and here our teachers which have a way more important job than these guys get shafted with crappy paychecks. I swear this country has it's priorities in the wrong places.

  • EMH88

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 11:53 am PT

    NERD!

    and rich

  • kmwamala

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 11:50 am PT

    I've seen that guy who was on Mtv.True Life he kindof seemed like an obessed freak but he was normal just that he played for a living and had a hot girlfriend to back him up. so life is goood for him.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 11:48 am PT

    mlg....it must be a boring life to have to play games as a job

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