Is it really 100 million baht? MLBB shakes up the Thai esports industry by investing big to recruit Kai Ngid, the ROV icon, to switch sides! This deal is not just about the money.
On 16 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Kai Ngid, a former renowned Thai esports athlete and one of the icons of ROV, announced the end of his 9-year career and unveiled his new role as the first Strategic Partner, or chief strategist, of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Thailand in a historic deal that was not decided solely by financial terms.
Kai Ngid revealed in a recent video that MLBB initially approached him as a brand ambassador with an offer of about 50 million baht, but he declined because money was not the primary factor in choosing his life path. Later, the game company returned with a new offer soaring to 100 million baht, which he emphasized was not just about the fee but a sign of MLBB's serious commitment to fully entering the Thai esports market.
Although it was a high-value deal, Kai Ngid confirmed that money was not the only reason. He set 10 conditions for MLBB to guarantee the systematic and sustainable development of Thai esports. A clear result of this is the announcement of the Mobile Legends Super League professional league in Thailand, featuring 8 prominent teams and opening slots for 2 new teams to qualify and compete.
Kai Ngid views having competition in the mobile game market as beneficial for the industry because it will motivate all parties to improve — players, fans, and the esports industry as a whole. He believes this move will create opportunities for at least 40 Thai youths to embark on professional esports careers in the future.
Previously, MLBB officially announced the launch of its esports league in Thailand, featuring 8 leading teams:
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is a globally successful mobile MOBA game. Although it still trails some games in the Thai market, this major investment deal could be a turning point that heats up the Thai esports battlefield even more.