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Tier One Entertainment, one of the Philippines’ biggest esports and talent management organizations, is facing backlash after multiple creators publicly spoke out about delayed payments, some reportedly pending for almost a year.
Content creator and former Tier One talent Sachi Gomez shared her frustration on social media, saying she’s grown tired of following up for unpaid projects, one of which has been delayed for nearly twelve months. She emphasized that talents shouldn’t have to chase payments they’ve already earned, noting the effort creators put into their work.
Fellow creator AmaraTV echoed the same concerns, revealing that she only received her payment shortly after posting about it online. She questioned why public exposure was needed for the company to take action and pointed out that other talents had still not been paid, despite meeting their deadlines and commitments.
Tier One isn’t the first organization to be publicly called out for failing to pay its players or creators on time. Similar cases have surfaced across the global esports industry. Guild Esports recently faced backlash for alleged unpaid player salaries before officially shutting down in August 2025. Years earlier, TSM and its CEO, Andy “Reginald” Dinh, were fined by Riot Games after a competitive ruling cited workplace misconduct and mistreatment of players.
Unfortunately, stories like these are not uncommon in esports. The industry’s rapid growth, inconsistent regulations, and frequent turnover of sponsors often leave players and creators vulnerable to payment disputes and unstable working conditions.
Founded in 2017 by Tryke Gutierrez, Alodia Gosiengfiao, and Brian Lim, Tier One Entertainment became one of Southeast Asia’s most influential esports and talent management companies. It played a key role in professionalizing gaming in the Philippines by managing streamers, content creators, and fielding competitive teams under the Blacklist International banner.
Blacklist International became a dominant force in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), winning multiple championships and helping elevate the Philippines’ global esports reputation. However, in January 2025, the organization posted a surprising “SIGNING OFF” message on social media, announcing the transfer of its MPL franchise ownership to a new organization for Season 15. While other Blacklist rosters continue to compete in different titles, the move raised questions about the future direction of Tier One’s esports division.
Notably, this follows the earlier departure of co-founder Alodia Gosiengfiao in November 2023, who cited a difference in values and vision as the reason for stepping away. In her farewell post, she wrote:
“It is with a heavy heart that I bid Tier One Entertainment farewell. I will forever be grateful for the journey and everyone I’ve worked with, but it has become evident that our visions and values are no longer aligned.”
Her exit was seen by many as a pivotal moment, marking the start of uncertainty about the company’s internal direction.
Despite criticism, Tier One has remained active. The company recently held BLACKOUT Manila 2025, a large-scale festival celebrating gaming, music, and pop culture at the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig City. The event featured international artist Iyaz, along with P-pop artists and several indie performers.
The event showcased Tier One’s continued push into mainstream entertainment. However, with ongoing complaints about unpaid talents and the recent developments surrounding Blacklist International, the company’s next steps in the esports and creator landscape remain to be seen.
As of the time of writing, Tier One Entertainment has not issued an official statement addressing these allegations.
Image credit: Tier One Entertainment
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