Sideshow on: Looking down the 'Path to Pro'
48Timestamps:
1:00 - Broad overview of Contenders
7:40 - Prizepools
24:30 - Academy teams
32:45 - Contenders Trials for this first revamped season
39:31 - Format of Contenders
45:49 - Promotion and relegation in Contenders Trials
48:35 - Drop from Contenders to Open
53:11 - OWL negotiations as a Contenders player/org
Announcement: https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/news/21353112/details-for-2018-s-path-to-pro (includes teams invited to Contenders for each region and first batch invited to Trials)
Rules: https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/wj/WJVVWVRW28Y61513621314159.pdf
Prizepool information below. Old tournament values are taken from last season's winnings. New values are taken assuming the teams win as much as possible.
WARNING: I GOT NUMBERS WRONG IN VIDEO DUE TO MISTAKING FIGHT MONEY AS PER MATCH RATHER THAN PER MAP. IT'S MORE MONEY THAN I THOUGHT.
If a team in CN/KR/EU/NA lost every game, the team would still win $6,600 every season. For every won map they would get another $257.
You would also win more money in playoffs by going to a full five maps and losing 2 games per match. Weird quirk unless the fight money does not apply for playoffs.
Old APEX prizepool: $177,484 (1st. $91,937 / 2nd. $38,514 / 3rd. $14,159)
New Korea prizepool: $210,716 (1st. $47,023 / 2nd. $29,876 / 3rd. $15,665)
Old OWPS prizepool: $150,209 (1st. $45,518 / 2nd. $22,759 / 3rd. $15,172)
New China prizepool: $210,716 (1st. $47,023 / 2nd. $29,876 / 3rd. $15,665)
Old EU/NA prizepool: $100,000 (1st. $40,000 / 2nd. $15,000 / 3rd. $10,000)
New EU/NA prizepool: $210,716 (1st. $47,023 / 2nd. $29,876 / 3rd. $15,665)
Old OPC prizepool: $274,785 (1st. $99,320 / 2nd. $49,660 / 3rd. $33,107)
New Pacific prizepool: $158,074 (1st. $35,260 / 2nd. $22,402 / 3rd. $17,424)
New Australia and South America prizepool: $52,790 (1st. $11,763 / 2nd. $7,475 / 3rd. $5,818)