Look Sports Media – The Mongolian Esports Association (MESA) is facing a major financial scandal, with allegations surfacing that it owes over $200,000 USD to teams and talent. Multiple sources, including prominent casters and organizations like HEROIC and BIG, have come forward, claiming non-payment for services rendered at various MESA tournaments, including the Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 and the Asian Masters qualifier for PGL Bucharest.
The controversy extends beyond prize money. Australian commentator Jordan "Elfishguy" Mays alleges he’s owed a four-figure sum for his work at the Asian Masters qualifier, a payment overdue by over five months. This isn’t an isolated incident; Mays reports similar delays from the Nomadic Masters Spring 2024. Anonymous sources further corroborate these claims, painting a picture of widespread financial mismanagement.
While MESA’s rulebook allows for up to 180 days for prize pool disbursement, the delay is raising serious concerns. The $250,000 prize pool for the Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 is technically payable until October 31st, but the lack of upfront funding raises questions about MESA’s financial planning. This isn’t the first time the Nomadic Masters has been embroiled in controversy; Valve recently stripped the Fall 2025 tournament of its ranked status due to MESA’s breach of tournament operation requirements.
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MESA Managing Director Ganbaatar Erdene attributes the delays to the Mongolian government’s ban on betting websites, claiming it disrupted sponsorships. However, this explanation is challenged by the pattern of payment issues dating back to before the ban, casting doubt on the validity of this excuse.
With MESA’s ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND 2025 tournament commencing on September 23rd, the pressure is mounting. The organization’s financial instability threatens to further damage the reputation of Mongolian esports, especially considering the recent success of The MongolZ at the Esports World Cup. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether MESA can resolve this crisis and restore faith in the integrity of Mongolian esports competitions.
By Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor
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