CPL Ended

The Cyberathlete Professional League, which had organised "pro" e-sport events since 1997, has ceased operations. All events proposed for 2008 have been cancelled. The organisation, fronted and founded by gaming evangelist Angel Munoz, did more to promote the idea of sponsored competitive gaming than any outside South Korea. I think this is something of a shame, even though I've struggled to have much personal attachment to the idea of e-sports during my years of covering them. After the jump: the final CPL release.

Effective immediately, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) will cease operations. Therefore, all CPL events currently scheduled for 2008 are hereby canceled.

The CPL was launched in June 1997 with the pioneering mission of promoting and sanctioning video game competitions as a professional sport. For ten years the CPL events experienced increased growth - commencing with a small LAN event in Dallas, Texas, and culminating in world-class competitions across five continents.

However, the current fragmentation of the sport, a crowded field of competing leagues, and the current economic climate have prompted the CPL to suspend its pro-tournament operations. The CPL regrets that this news will disappoint those that were planning on attending the summer and winter events this year.

Many thanks to all of the sponsors and partners that helped CPL establish the groundwork for professional video game competitions. Their vision and pioneering spirit should always be remembered.