Setting New Standards in Talent Representation
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has launched the Certified Talent Agents Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at recognising and accrediting individuals and organisations representing players, creators, and entertainers across gaming and esports.
The program establishes a professional benchmark for transparency, ethics, and accountability in an industry that has long struggled with unregulated representation. It’s designed to ensure that agents working with esports professionals and creators uphold standards of integrity that protect talent from exploitation, financial risks, and misconduct.
According to ESIC, the initiative was developed in collaboration with over 15 global agencies and sets a clear, credible framework for talent management within gaming, esports, and entertainment.
A Safer, More Transparent Industry
At its core, the Certified Talent Agents Program introduces a comprehensive evaluation and accreditation process. Applicants undergo financial due diligence, insurance checks, and criminal history reviews, as well as assessments of prior complaints or disciplinary issues.
Accredited agents must also adhere to a Code of Conduct and maintain appropriate indemnity measures, ensuring that client protection remains at the heart of their work. By creating a verified register of Certified Talent Agents, ESIC aims to raise trust and professionalism across the industry while reducing opportunities for unethical behaviour.
Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC, described the program as a crucial step forward.
“By providing a clear, credible accreditation pathway for talent agents, we are addressing an area that has been largely unregulated and often problematic for players,” he said.
“The Program aims to protect players from exploitation by setting international standards for Certified Talent Agents, publishing a verified register, providing fair dispute resolution, and enhancing the credibility of compliant agents and agencies.”
Foundation Members: SEG and Prodigy Agency
ESIC announced SEG and Prodigy Agency as foundation members of the Certified Talent Agents Program. Together, they’ve accredited 13 agents under the scheme, helping set the bar for integrity-driven talent management.
Rowan Stroo, Division Director Esports at SEG, said the initiative aligns perfectly with the agency’s mission.
“Our mission at SEG is to elevate the entire talent management industry by creating new industry standards. We’re thrilled to be a foundational member of ESIC’s Certified Talent Agents Program, as there is still little to no regulation in the esports and gaming ecosystems on many topics, including talent representation.”
Prodigy Agency Founder and CEO Jérôme Coupez echoed the sentiment, emphasising that the protection and empowerment of players must always come first.
“The lack of regulation in our industry has long created risks for players, and we have been leading the charge for years in pushing stakeholders to establish proper standards and official regulations for agents. This initiative is a landmark step for our industry, perfectly aligned with our ‘Players First’ vision.”
Raising Integrity and Reducing Exploitation
While the program primarily focuses on improving player representation, ESIC believes it will also have a positive knock-on effect on broader integrity issues like match-fixing.
By giving players access to certified, trustworthy representation, ESIC hopes to reduce the vulnerability that can lead to unethical behaviour or corruption. This comes after a series of recent enforcement actions, including suspensions of teams such as SENZA and Northern Lights for alleged code violations.
The Certified Talent Agents Program joins other ESIC efforts launched this year, including the International Games and Esports Tribunal and a certification partnership with ggCircuit for esports venue infrastructure. Together, these initiatives highlight ESIC’s growing influence in shaping safer, more transparent standards across the global esports ecosystem.
Applications Now Open
The Certified Talent Agents Program is now open for applications from agents and agencies seeking accreditation. ESIC invites stakeholders across gaming, esports, and entertainment to participate in setting higher standards for professional representation.
For more details or to apply, visit esic.gg/certified-talent-agents.
About ESIC
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) works to protect the integrity of competitive gaming by preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cheating, match-fixing, and other forms of misconduct. By collaborating with publishers, tournament organisers, and stakeholders, ESIC ensures fair play and transparency across the esports ecosystem.