Moses: PGL spent nearly $850,000 on talent fees alone for RMRs and Major
The public has not been privy to the economics of hosting a Major, with the majority of the general consumer base unaware of the exact costs and profits relating to hosting such a grand event.
Valve, understanding that it can be a difficult process, contributes towards the prize pool as well as lodging and transportation costs for players. However, talent remains a cost that the organizers themselves solely bear.
In episode 84 of the Talking Counter podcast, Jason "Moses" O'Toole brings up this very point as a response to those who claim that PGL was being "too cheap" or "cutting corners". The American caster apparently "got the numbers" on what PGL had approximately spent on talent fees alone — which does not even include lodging, food, or other associated costs with hosting several talent members, for the entire Regional Major Ranking events and the PGL Copenhagen Major.
Fellow co-hosts Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill and Janko "YNk" Paunović guessed that it would be close to $1,000,000 and $600,000 to $700,000, respectively. Moses gleefully acknowledged that they were close, revealing that the final amount was around $850,000. SPUNJ clarified to the viewers that Valve had not contributed anything to this side of the operation.
Moses goes on to explain that number is definitely more than $850,000 spent on talent as PGL needs to pay for travel, lodging, an Uber Eats stipend, and could likely be as much as $1.3 million to $1.5 million when all is said and done.
Running a Major is not cheap. Considering the labor costs relating just to talent, it's easy to see why some organizers have searched for additional funding or ceased operations in recent years.
