Eclipse:
Franchise Manager – Grantcfo
Season 13 Teams – FL, AL, CL, ML
Origins
Debuting for MLE in Season 8, under the management of the all-time great Kiimmmiiii, the Eclipse got off to a rather shaky start. After struggling to find a rhythm, they failed to achieve even a wildcard position. Despite this slow start, they still showed a lot of potential and promise for the future.
Championship History
Following their debut season, Kiimmmiiii would help lead the Eclipse to their most successful season to date, as they took 2 Divisional titles, one for CL and one for PL. This success wouldn’t be replicated for the next few seasons, until C^2 took the helm as Franchise Manager, and guided them to their 3rd Divisional title, before falling before they could capture their first Conference win.
Franchise Atmosphere
After having a tumultuous and rather shaky leadership team in previous seasons, the Eclipse look to find solid ground under their new FM, Grantcfo. Speaking with Grant on the atmosphere within the franchise, he had this to say: “The atmosphere is a safe space to interact with many other amazing people and make some new friends along the way. Everyone is welcome and we’re really only here to have a good time.”
Now, of course, when coming into a new franchise, most staff members like to leave their mark on them, whether it’s by changing the culture, or by bringing in some new faces. I asked Grant what sort of players he’d like on the Eclipse, to which he replied, “We are looking to bring in players that are searching for a place to have fun and laugh if they lose. We want people to find friendships that last a lifetime here.”
With a solid foundation beginning to be built under them for Season 13, the Eclipse are a team to look out for across the upcoming regular season, as well as a team to tryout for. If you’d like to join their server, their discord is linked below, and as Grant said at the end of our interview, “Consider this the key to your new home.” https://discord.gg/sZjzBATVpx
Blizzard:
Franchise Manager – Jahex
Season 13 Teams – FL, AL, CL, ML
Origins
Debuting for MLE in Season 5, the Blizzard were unable to find much success in their first season as a franchise. Due to the nature of the Season 5 format (the 1 league system), the ability for a team to make playoffs was greatly diminished compared to the current league format, and the franchise led by KyleTheMurphy failed to achieve a playoff appearance.
Championship History
Despite struggling to find any gold to put in their trophy cabinet, the Blizzard blew into Season 7 with higher expectations for themselves, and achieved their first Divisional title under the leadership of Porkchop. From Season 8 onwards, the Blizzard always felt like a threat in the Storm Division, taking 5 Divisional titles, 1 Conference win, and an MLE Championship whilst under the management of Helly. and Jahex.
Franchise Atmosphere
Recently, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Jahex about the atmosphere of the Blizzard. He was very forthcoming, revealing that, “We are an open book when talking to players, so they can better understand us and vice versa. We encourage our players to make sure they practice with teammates even when they don’t play in the week’s matchup.”
Now coming into his third season as the franchise leader for the Blizzard, Jahex has had to partake in the drafting of many players over the seasons. When asked what sort of players he was looking for in Season 13’s draft, he stated: “We have a sort of formula that we are going to use again this season.” When I asked about this formula, he explained that, “During tryouts, we make sure to talk to each player. Those conversations lead us to earn their ambitions for the upcoming season. From that, we can make notes of which players are striving for the same things. Once I have a group I believe complements each other we use that for the draft.”
With a steady base under them, brought about by the leadership of Jahex, the Blizzard are looking forward to Season 13 with a fresh batch of optimism. If you’d like to be a part of the Blizzard for Season 13, feel free to tryout for them in the tryout server when they host one, and join their discord server with the link below. As Jahex and the Blizzard would say, “Stay Frosty”. https://discord.gg/MZdkdEBZYU
Hurricanes:
Franchise Manager – goldentornado17
Season 13 Teams – FL, AL, CL, ML, PL
Origins
Debuting in Season 5 as a part of the expansion to 24 teams, the Hurricanes struggled to find any success in their opening season, similar to the other new franchises. This first season, the ‘Canes would be led by BigQ, who would achieve an award himself, as the 2s Savior of the Season.
Championship History
The Hurricanes have had a lot of silverware in their past, with their first trophies coming in season 6, with a Divisional title and Conference win. However, it was the period of seasons 9 through to 11 that they really showed their dominance, picking up 4 Divisional titles, 3 Conference wins and 2 MLE Championships. They would add another Divisional title in Season 12, bringing their total to 6 Divisional titles, 4 Conference titles and 2 MLE Championships.
Franchise Atmosphere
Speaking with goldentornado17 (GT) about the atmosphere in the Hurricanes camp for Season 13, he stated that, “the atmosphere on the canes is very relaxed and welcoming,” and that they are, “a smaller community so we like to joke around a lot and not take things too seriously while also encouraging each other along the way in order to foster a positive environment.”
Of course, with the Season 13 draft arguably being the most important and with a team in every league, the ‘Canes already have their specific type of player they’d love to bring in. As GT told me, “we value people who fit our culture and are excited to play together and build up the entire team. Maturity, honesty, and loyalty are some things we value highly as well as the ambition to get better both individually and as a team.”
With a history of success in the not too distant past, and with a steady leadership team behind them, the Hurricanes look set to continue their winning ways. In a closing statement, GT added, “I guess I’d just like to say that if you want to join a winning culture that doesn’t take life too seriously the canes are for you.” If you would like to join the Hurricanes, you can attend their tryouts in the tryout server, as their discord is private for current ‘Canes.
Lightning:
Franchise Manager – DudTheBomb
Season 13 Teams – FL, AL, CL, ML
Origins
Debuting in Season 5 of MLE, the Lightning found their first season rather tumultuous. After starting the season with Deadshot as their franchise leader, he stepped down mid-season, leading to the promotion of MajestikMoose as the new leader of the Lightning. Despite a change to a more stable leader, the Lightning failed to reach playoffs that season, with no awards to their name.
Championship History
The Lightning haven’t always been a championship winning franchise, but that’s not for a lack of trying. As of Season 11, the Lightning had racked up a total of 3 Divisional titles, all under different franchise leaders in Gus, Cakekyst and jgabbert13. However, when Jesus and DudTheBomb took over in Season 12, their fortunes shifted drastically, as they found themselves winning 3 Divisional titles, as well as their first Conference and, most importantly, their first MLE Championship in AL 3s.
Franchise Atmosphere
Speaking with the Lightning’s current FM DudTheBomb about the Lightning’s atmosphere heading into Season 13, he had this to say: “It’s very relaxed… I tend to let everyone go at their own pace in terms of communication, because I know that people have friends and all outside of MLE, but I encourage us to talk with each other.”
With this being his first season as the top dog for the Lightning, Dud has a chance to craft the team he helped lay the foundations for in Season 12. To do that, he needs to pick up specific types of players, as he went on to mention, “Finding people in the draft that have a mix of both, (community presence and the push to get us to a championship,) while prioritizing more towards championship pushes, will be very helpful.”
Looking to build on their most fruitful season to date, the Lightning are looking to shock some life into the Storm Division, and they could use you to help achieve that goal. If you’d like to be a part of the Lightning for Season 13, attend their tryouts in the tryout server and join their Discord linked below. When I asked Dud for any closing comments, he told me the following, “The Lightning will be everywhere you go, on and off the field, and we hope to see you all around!” https://discord.gg/TxA7uRadZB
