Mongolian tournament organiser MESA allegedly owe $200,000 to unpaid teams and talent

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 18/09/2025

Mongolian Tournament Organiser MESA (the Mongolian Esports Association) is allegedly indebted to teams and talent by at least $200,000 USD (~£146,500 GBP).

Although payment terms state that the organisation still has time to fulfil its prize pool obligations, teams owed are questioning why adequate funds were not acquired pre-tournament. 

Unpaid broadcast talent across multiple tournaments put pressure on MESA

Multiple sources initially reached out to Pley.gg with allegations that they had not been paid for their work at MESA events, verified as amounting to over $200,000 USD. This amount spans both contracts for broadcasters and prize pool money for teams. 

These non-payment claims stem from multiple tournaments. Most notable are the MESA Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 and MESA Asian Masters qualifier for PGL Bucharest. 

An anonymous broadcast talent from the Nomadic Masters is allegedly owed several thousand dollars. 

This experience is mirrored by Australian commentator Jordan ‘Elfishguy’ Mays, who is allegedly owed a four-figure sum after casting at the Asian Masters qualifier, which was due 30 days post-event. 

MESA’s Asian Masters 2025 took place in March. Therefore, this payment is over five months overdue. 

According to Mays, he has had to wait over six months for payment on a prior occasion after working at the Nomadic Masters Spring 2024. 

Time is running out to pay Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 prize pool

Alongside the unpaid casters are the unpaid teams. HEROIC, BIG, and Chinggis Warriors are all waiting on their prize money from the Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 tournament. 

According to the MESA rulebook, prize money should be paid to teams 90 days post-tournament completion. However, the rule book also states that it may take as long as 180 days for payment to be completed. 

Therefore, the $250,000 USD (~£183,100 GBP) prize pool can be paid up to October 31st, 2025 and still be within MESA’s obligations. Nevertheless, the delay is causing teams to question why the funds for paying the prize pool were not secured pre-tournament. 

This is not the first time the Nomadic Masters tournament series has caused controversy. In August, Valve removed the ranked status of Nomadic Masters Fall 2025. 

MESA’s request to esports organisations for a tournament registration fee breached level playing field obligations. 

Therefore, MESA breached Section 3.5 of the Valve Tournament Operation Requirements. As a result, no VRS points can be gained from competing until full compliance is re-established.

MESA’s damage to the reputation of Mongolian esports has unfortunate timing. Mongolian esports team, The MongolZ, left Mongolian Counter-Strike viewership on a high after their recent Esports World Cup win. With such high potential for engagement in CS2 esports, MESA cannot risk falling foul of the local community.

MESA claims government ban on betting websites is to blame for payment delays

Responding to Pley.gg, MESA Managing Director Ganbaatar Erdene reaffirmed that payments will be made within the agreed timeframe. They also claimed that all talent working at the Nomadic Masters Spring 2025 have been paid.

Allegations from Mays regarding non-payment for the MESA Asian Masters were not addressed.  

To justify the delay in Nomadic Masters Spring payments, Erdene claimed that the Mongolian government’s ban on betting sites disrupted sponsorships. He states that this delayed the payments. 

This claim can be brought into question. Broadcast talent have claimed a pattern of payment issues tracing back to the Nomadic Masters Spring 2024, long before the initial July 1015 ban and August 2025 ban extension.

With MESA’s ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND 2025 tournament starting on September 23rd, the Mongolian esports tournament organisers will have no relief from payment pressure. 

Talent and teams can only hope that financial obligations are fulfilled soon.

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

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