By Rocket Unrue
Capcom Co. has delighted competitive gaming fans by continuing its Street Fighter League Pro-US/JP series in both the USA and Japan. Both feature in-person competition with professional players in a unique three versus three team format that streams live Thursdays and Fridays.
Both leagues feature studio quality production along with commentary and microphones for the viewers to listen in on competitors. The production in Japan also provides subtitles for their English-speaking fans.
After the completion of the live stream it is edited and uploaded to additional popular streaming services.
Street Fighter League Pro-US is not limited to professionals from the United States, but is also hosting talent from around the world. The players from Taiwan, Singapore, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates are well-known and established. Notably MenaRD from The Dominican
Republic, 2017 Capcom Cup Champion and Big Bird of United Arab Emirates, having placed second at Evo Championship Series 2019.
Additionally, Team YUY will be the first to consist entirely of competitors from the same sponsor. These sponsorships more closely align with other professional sports where the agent earns a salary in addition to prize winnings. Professional gamers traveling for the first time under an athletic visa occurred in 2013.
Gamers lamented that 2016 Capcom Cup Champion NuckleDu of Tampa, who was originally slated to participate, had to withdraw. NuckleDu gained some notoriety after immediately donating his winnings of a $10,000 prize pool at DreamHack Montreal 2017 to Hurricane Irma relief.
