bsl steps down as ESL Tournament Director

The Norwegian former 1.6-player Jonas "⁠bsl⁠" Alsaker Vikan has announced that he is leaving ESL after nearly a year as Tournament Director.

The 36-year old spent the last 11 months in the position, in which he was 'in charge of the execution of all ESL high-profile competitions, including ESL Pro League, ESL One and IEM tournaments.'

In a medium post, he revealed that he has stepped down from the position and will also pull out of esports entirely, at least 'for right now.'

bsl cites time away from his children as a reason for stepping down

bsl started his professional 1.6-career playing for the recently revived Brazilian team MIBR, and later went on to found the legendary European NoA organisation. He also co-hosted the first CS:GO Major, DreamHack Winter 2013, alongside Scott "⁠SirScoots⁠" Smith.

In a medium post, the Norwegian mentioned being away from his children as a factor in his decision to step down:

During the last 11 months, I have spent 138 days on the road. I supervised 11 pro level competitions in that period, in Germany, US (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas), Denmark, Malaysia, South Korea, Poland, Australia and Brazil.

To do all this meant spending 4,5 months away from my two kids (aged 3 and 5 years). This works for some, but it doesn't work for me.

A friend who has supported my every esport endeavor over nearly 20 years asked me if I am now finally done with esports. My answer was I think that's not possible, its fabric is too closely weaved with who I am. It has given me everything. But for right now, I need to step down.

ESL have announced that Alexander Nehr, formerly in charge of Product & Player Management at the company, will take over as Tournament Director.

Norway Jonas 'bsl' Alsaker Vikan
Jonas 'bsl' Alsaker Vikan
Age:
36
Team:
No team
Rating 1.0:
-
Maps played:
0
KPR:
-
DPR:
-
United States Scott 'SirScoots' Smith
Scott 'SirScoots' Smith
Age:
51
Team:
No team
Rating 1.0:
-
Maps played:
0
KPR:
-
DPR:
-
Rip bsl frkm esl
2018-07-23 13:22
0
I read MSL steps down from North
2018-07-23 13:22
0
30 replies
#8
 | 
Denmark Jones123
One can dream
2018-07-23 13:23
0
16 replies
#25
 | 
Australia KatVian
Only because you want north to be even more fucked than it already is.
2018-07-23 13:26
0
15 replies
#32
 | 
Denmark Jones123
Even if i can't say what has been going on inside the team, with all due respect to him, it isn't hard to see MSL as the one who has ruined the team
2018-07-23 13:28
0
14 replies
#37
 | 
Australia KatVian
In the past year Mal has done WAY more for north than Aizy has. His inability to adapt on the fly though has hurt north alot. He is a very good Igl with alot of very bad idiosyncrasies.
2018-07-23 13:30
0
13 replies
"Very good igl" XDDDDDDDDDD He hasn't had a single good team ever. He is a fuckign joke.
2018-07-23 13:54
0
12 replies
msl likes to wear hats so hes not that bad
2018-07-23 15:12
0
Yeah its not like north was in the top 5 for most of last year or anything like that And its totally not like an msl team won epicenter god how ridiculous would that be
2018-07-23 16:21
0
He's the reason of players like konfig , kjaerbye , mertz , magisk to be "someone". Stop with the nosense trashtalks
2018-07-23 17:03
0
9 replies
Yeah right. Msl is a god who gifted them their talent lmao
2018-07-23 17:24
0
1 reply
He grinded their talent*
2018-07-23 21:46
0
magisk said rubino was the reason he was so good in dignitas, check your facts first my friend
2018-07-23 23:46
0
6 replies
Still all of them played under his leadership. As far as i know this person (msl) dictates anyone in the team and he's mostly the reason of players getting kicked. So it is his merit that he gave them a chance.
2018-07-24 00:09
0
5 replies
not true, there is alot more that dictates whats going on in the team. When s1mple left liquid hiko (the igl) really liked him but elige didnt (just a fragger)
2018-07-24 00:19
0
4 replies
Lol .. never said its because the in-game leading. Honestly i don't know what actually he's doing , but mostly he dictates who should be removed
2018-07-24 00:21
0
3 replies
if you dont know dont spread bullshit around here my friend
2018-07-24 00:57
0
2 replies
How bout u ? Lmao .. I think you're the one who needs to check the facts
2018-07-24 02:19
0
1 reply
About?
2018-07-24 10:59
0
#18
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Finland Jardeet
I wish
2018-07-23 13:24
0
I read as MSL steps down as MSL
2018-07-23 13:28
0
8 replies
#103
 | 
Poland Unluko
I can relate
2018-07-23 15:12
0
7 replies
#115
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
World toffeltat
i can retaliate
2018-07-23 16:13
0
4 replies
#139
 | 
Poland Unluko
I can relativt
2018-07-23 17:50
0
3 replies
#142
 | 
United Kingdom dokunug
I can relative
2018-07-23 18:58
0
2 replies
#147
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
World toffeltat
i can Once a site of fishing and trading villages, Kinshasa is now a megacity with an estimated population of more than 11 million.
2018-07-23 19:39
0
#151
 | 
Poland Unluko
I can relat
2018-07-23 21:11
0
Ty
2018-07-23 21:24
0
1 reply
#154
 | 
Poland Unluko
You're welcome
2018-07-23 21:33
0
#47
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Puls3 | 
World bigb1rd
MSL to replace BSL as new ESL director.
2018-07-23 13:34
0
2 replies
#79
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Argentina epov.boris
Lol
2018-07-23 14:02
0
#104
 | 
Poland Unluko
+1
2018-07-23 15:13
0
#5
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Austria ericmoncusi23
LUL
2018-07-23 13:22
0
#7
 | 
Czech Republic Prdola15
POGGERS
2018-07-23 13:23
0
#9
 | 
Andorra Octopus1
Who
2018-07-23 13:23
0
6 replies
one of the main guys behind ESL tournaments of the past 12 months pretty much all being fantastically praised by everyone including the players.
2018-07-23 13:25
0
5 replies
and Facebook, but thats fine compared to the other things I guess
2018-07-23 13:28
0
4 replies
i doubt that would fall under the responsibilities of a tournament director but who knows
2018-07-23 13:29
0
3 replies
he did a great job regardless
2018-07-23 13:30
0
2 replies
#106
 | 
Poland Unluko
+1
2018-07-23 15:14
0
#136
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
United Kingdom UKChef
+1
2018-07-23 17:19
0
#10
 | 
Guam b7ack0ut
LuL
2018-07-23 13:23
0
Unexpected
2018-07-23 13:24
0
lol
2018-07-23 13:24
0
#16
fer | 
United Kingdom kanezz
rip esl lol
2018-07-23 13:24
0
2 replies
#20
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Finland Jardeet
Yes esl lol and esl csgo
2018-07-23 13:24
0
He only worked for esl csgo
2018-07-23 13:38
0
Probably the pressure of running that shitfest with corporate making dumb descions like facebook
2018-07-23 13:24
0
5 replies
#28
 | 
Australia KatVian
Bsl did a really good job and ESL has hosted some of the best cs events in the past year.
2018-07-23 13:27
0
3 replies
Gusi mevig?
2018-07-23 13:33
0
2 replies
#55
 | 
Australia KatVian
Say what?
2018-07-23 13:42
0
1 reply
Gusi mevig???
2018-07-23 13:43
0
#122
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
African Union wtbx
dumb decision, i doubt it's a dumb decision if you happen to see the money involved nothing wrong with it being on fb at all.
2018-07-23 16:28
0
Rip
2018-07-23 13:25
0
#23
 | 
Australia Beard43
Finally, hope Facebook goes with him
2018-07-23 13:25
0
19 replies
Do you need help? Tournament directot doesn’t decide streaming platform
2018-07-23 13:28
0
9 replies
and the source for your comment is...? of course the tournament director has a say on the main streaming platforms for his own tournament. do you need help?
2018-07-23 13:43
0
8 replies
The higher ups has ALL the say when it comes to important issues like that. Do you really think the guy responsible for hosting events decides this? A company like ESL is not a democracy btw
2018-07-23 13:48
0
6 replies
if your job is being in charge of executing tournaments, then obviously you are involved in pretty much all processes related to the tournament. including how you want to stream your tournament
2018-07-23 13:49
0
4 replies
2018-07-23 13:53
0
3 replies
Literally nothing listed here is about where a company wants to stream their games. You think tournamnets organizers in soccer decide which tv channel it should be streamed on?
2018-07-23 15:45
0
2 replies
that what i want to point out, lol xd nothing in TD job have something to do about that
2018-07-23 15:57
0
1 reply
comparing esports to soccer. lel also your great source called wikipedia has 0 sources listed for the stuff written in there. I could go and type shit there. if you think bsl was refereeing csgo matches... XD
2018-07-23 18:59
0
#123
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
African Union wtbx
stop pls
2018-07-23 16:28
0
The tournament director is responsible for the organization and execution of the tournament from a league perspective. His job does not cover the sale of media rights. The event and the broadcast are also handled separately. Though they work closely with the tournament director on a number of items. Look at it like this, there are three main areas of organization for a LAN: League Operations Event Broadcast Each of these has it's own work structure and staff, some of whom have responsibilities that crossover into other areas. There are also people outside of those areas who tie the different branches together to organize something cohesive. On top of that you have another layers that makes overall brand / company decisions that are less day to day operations. Sales, Marketing, Social Media, Management Boards, and well... you get the idea. For some TOs these different areas might be contracted out or be handled in in-house. There's no one size fits all setup but it's all fairly similarly organized in the end. Source, I've produced the past 2.5 years of ESL CS events
2018-07-23 17:18
0
Nice try moron
2018-07-23 16:19
0
8 replies
#120
 | 
Australia Beard43
So you think they'll keep the Facebook?
2018-07-23 16:20
0
7 replies
They already announced they were rethinking that, and that decision has nothing to do with this guy
2018-07-23 16:31
0
6 replies
#128
 | 
Australia Beard43
Great news! If you think me not knowing that makes me a moron, I think you need to take a long look at yourself. Have a fine day :-)
2018-07-23 16:33
0
5 replies
You are a moron for blaming this guy, not for not knowing about the announcement
2018-07-23 18:51
0
4 replies
#148
 | 
Australia Beard43
I didn't blame him. It's ironic that you call me a moron based on a premise which you erroneously interpreted from my post. You seem very judgmental of others. I hope you can make that work well in your life somehow :-)
2018-07-23 19:42
0
3 replies
Your poor use of language made your motivation for that comment quite ambiguous, and now you want to hide behind the idea that it's my fault it was misinterpreted youre an utter clown
2018-07-23 21:07
0
2 replies
#153
 | 
Australia Beard43
There's nothing ambiguous about my comment nor poor about my use of language, it was clear. I have no need to hide, I do wonder about people who feel the need to constantly insult others though. Is it a compulsion, or do you feel a release of your frustration or negative feelings from it? If you need to talk about it, I'd be happy to help. Hope this finds you well :-)
2018-07-23 21:26
0
do parents beat you or something?
2018-07-23 21:53
0
#24
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
dupreeh | 
Europe Dan Zero
Family > cs
2018-07-23 13:25
0
Stepping down from sth u love for sth u love even more, all the best.
2018-07-23 13:26
0
#27
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
REAL | 
Norway strifer-
He did a great job for both the viewers and the players.
2018-07-23 13:27
0
3 replies
how you know?
2018-07-23 13:33
0
2 replies
#48
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
REAL | 
Norway strifer-
bcs im his son & freiend of niko who told me
2018-07-23 13:35
0
1 reply
#83
 | 
Ukraine ksay
are u 3/5 yo by any chance?
2018-07-23 14:09
0
No more fb???????
2018-07-23 13:32
0
4 replies
#51
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
REAL | 
Norway strifer-
He was tournament director, not CEO of ESL. Not his decision. He was in charge of the execution of the tournaments.
2018-07-23 13:37
0
3 replies
More fb then.
2018-07-23 13:53
0
2 replies
nope, they decided no more facebook a month ago and no, i dont have any reliable sources
2018-07-23 15:46
0
1 reply
if so thats a good thing
2018-07-23 16:19
0
#43
 | 
Sweden pontus767
Sad, he really was good for ESL imo.
2018-07-23 13:33
0
WHO ?
2018-07-23 13:34
0
6 replies
#63
 | 
Netherlands RaVersoN
Signed up 2018-04-09
2018-07-23 13:47
0
5 replies
Ban ends 2023. I've played CS for years and have been involved in E-sports for years too. Nice try, tho.
2018-07-23 13:50
0
4 replies
#67
 | 
Netherlands RaVersoN
So how do you not know this guy?
2018-07-23 13:50
0
3 replies
Its obviously a bait. Its like someone asking " WHO " on a thread about ex-TSM or another famous disbanded team.
2018-07-23 13:51
0
2 replies
#96
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Norway SimonRed
Then who is he :¤
2018-07-23 14:58
0
1 reply
Who is who ?
2018-07-23 15:01
0
F
2018-07-23 13:35
0
No more facebook?!?
2018-07-23 13:36
0
thorin mentioned him in a video just today coincidence?
2018-07-23 13:38
0
1 reply
Yes?
2018-07-23 13:46
0
who cares
2018-07-23 13:39
0
#56
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Germany boozles
I fully understand and respect his decision, but 138 days on the road is not that much. There are technical sale jobs, where youre on the road 200-250 days a year. These 138 days are just modern eSports for you. There are tournaments all over the world.
2018-07-23 13:42
0
4 replies
#78
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Norway ch1ckeNN
It's not that much for someone, but obviously for him :)
2018-07-23 14:01
0
2 replies
#84
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Germany boozles
Yeah, as I said, I can respect that. I wish him all the best.
2018-07-23 14:10
0
1 reply
#112
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Europe RKC
If you are on the the road for 200+ days and you have little childs at home, you really should overthink it imo.
2018-07-23 15:55
0
#131
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
United States postwarscars
I doubt it would have been as big a deal if he didn't have a family. That's a lot of time away from the people closest to you.
2018-07-23 17:03
0
#59
 | 
Poland blokzieNTC
finally, no more facebook streams
2018-07-23 13:44
0
1 reply
#87
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Netherlands Legendarycrab
retard spotted
2018-07-23 14:22
0
facebook lol
2018-07-23 13:44
0
why people relate him to facebook stream xd he was "Tournament director''. he had no authority over streaming platform
2018-07-23 13:48
0
2 replies
#69
 | 
Indonesia Exodd
Ok so in conclusion ESL still suck
2018-07-23 13:51
0
1 reply
nah, i do enjoy the event esl run this year. dude doing great at his job. but yeah, streaming is till suck
2018-07-23 13:56
0
#70
Faceit plus user Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Moldova OptimusBlyad
rip :(
2018-07-23 13:52
0
#71
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
France jaimez
newfags asking "who?"
2018-07-23 13:52
0
1 reply
#77
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
dupreeh | 
Germany pastaMasta
who?
2018-07-23 14:01
0
Does this mean no facebook? has prayers come true
2018-07-23 13:55
0
1 reply
no
2018-07-23 14:03
0
Delete facebook pls
2018-07-23 14:03
0
unluko
2018-07-23 14:03
0
#86
 | 
Germany BIG2020
cudos bsl. enjoy your time off with family!
2018-07-23 14:22
0
#88
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Germany devast4tE
respect to him, I hope he comes back, one of best faces in esport
2018-07-23 14:32
0
#90
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Dominican Republic Okieant33
I'm still trying to understand how HLTV became the best news site for CS but a fucking zombieland of trolling Twitch chat commenters.
2018-07-23 14:46
0
4 replies
All they need to make good content is people visiting the site Its pretty clear they don't care about what deranged 12 year olds are spamming all over the place and they will make good content despite that
2018-07-23 16:17
0
3 replies
#118
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Dominican Republic Okieant33
I know but now you force me to go talk about this news on Reddit.
2018-07-23 16:19
0
2 replies
Lmao as if that place is any better Its just full of 12 year olds parroting whatever top comments they saw and what analysts said out of context At least on this site its easy to know who cares and who doesn't. There are the same number of retards there but they try to act like they know something
2018-07-23 16:30
0
1 reply
#130
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Dominican Republic Okieant33
that's my point. its like choosing Clinton or Trump. No good options.
2018-07-23 16:34
0
whoo
2018-07-23 14:48
0
#94
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Sweden highfield
Huge thanks for everything that youve given the scene for all these years, from my early cs career when i watched you play til now, incredible. I know you'll comeback somehow, have fun!
2018-07-23 14:56
0
#100
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Mongolia FoxOutOfGlocks
unluko but seems good move
2018-07-23 15:07
0
#109
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
MrFuckYou | 
United States lybrel
got baited so hard into reading MSL steps down :(
2018-07-23 15:16
0
Way to be a real dad! Good luck bud
2018-07-23 15:58
0
Steps down to eat burger and kebab become devorsed and the kids will hate him. ESL will never let you down man!
2018-07-23 16:28
0
#125
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
African Union wtbx
font understand why people hate streaming so much, bo hoooo you don;t get your stupid features, you get to watch the game in just as good of quality, that's all that matters
2018-07-23 16:29
0
#129
Faceit premium user Faceit level 9 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
SPERMY | 
Norway hemy
One of my most influential players of all time. Such an awesome person, and he's work ethic is legend.
2018-07-23 16:34
0
#135
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Johnny R. | 
Germany duKEmeister
family and especially child first!
2018-07-23 17:15
0
rep for putting his kids first
2018-07-23 17:50
0
a relative newfag here. did he really play for mibr????
2018-07-23 18:44
0
2 replies
#144
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Mongolia FoxOutOfGlocks
yes, also thorin made video with him last year, they also talk about it xd... youtube.com/watch?v=I03xuXyrnUU 16:04 Brazil and MiBR
2018-07-23 19:02
0
1 reply
ty!!
2018-07-23 19:07
0
who
2018-07-23 19:12
0
mibr BSL is a Legend alive. All the best for you man!
2018-07-23 20:21
0
nice
2018-07-24 00:23
0
#163
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Brazil bandicoot
thank you. respectable decision
2018-07-24 00:59
0
bsl is one of the true "grand old men" of the scene, he's been around like forever and hope to see him around in the future. All the best
2018-07-24 03:10
0
#166
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
REAL | 
Norway duffz00r
hf bro
2018-07-24 04:04
0
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