The Championship Gaming Series 2008 season may have run its course on DirecTV, but the year isn’t over and neither is the pro gaming action. Starting next week, the first CGS Pro-Am will kick off with Counter-Strike: Source, Counter-Strike 1.6, and Team Fortress 2. This is your last week to sign-up for a chance to win $40,000 in cash prizes, compete at the 2009 Combine, and play against the pros.

Here's the prize breakdown:

You’ve been watching the pros play their games live on DirecTV for two seasons, but now you can see those pros like you’ve never seen them before. Teams like 3D.NY will be competing in CSS -- and now you can play against them to see how your skills match up against the pros. You might even get the chance to play against legendary 3D.NY General Manager, Dave "Moto" Geffon, as he has signed up as an emergency player should a member of his team be unable to participate. Even if he doesn’t play, Moto is looking forward to the event.

"I'm looking forward to seeing 3D.NY compete in the Pro-Am," said Moto. "It will give our Counter-Strike: Source team the opportunity to compete in the off-season while giving me a platform for evaluating undiscovered talent."

Complexity (and Rambo) will take on all comers in both versions of CS during the inaugural season of Pro-Am.

The LOS ANGELES COMPLEXITY will be competing as well, but they’ve opted to sign-up for CSS and 1.6, meaning you’ll get to see and play against the classic COMPLEXITY team of legend. Think you can do better than their 6-6 record in Source for the 2008 season? You’re running out of time to back up those challenges you issued on the COMPLEXITY forums. Think your new 1.6 team has risen to power since the departure of COMPLEXITY to Source? Step up to the plate and get registered to put your mouse and keyboard where your mouth is.

You’ll also be able to test yourself against CGS pro players who may not be playing the game they’re known for. Many of the Dead or Alive and FORZA Motorsport 2 players have signed up to play Counter-Strike and test their skills in a game they aren’t as accustomed to. It’s all in good fun, and the pros know they’d take down all challengers in their signature games, so this could be your one and only opportunity to battle head-to-head on an even playing field.

Just because some of the pros aren’t playing in the games they’re known for doesn’t mean they’ll be easy competition. These players are professional to the core so don’t expect them to take things lightly. Kevin "Sackamonjaro" Uribe of the SAN FRANCISCO OPTX will be playing CSS with his teammate, Chris "NinjaCW" Harris, Michelle "Phoenix" Pleet (DALLAS VENOM),and Dan "ComeBackDan" Otto (3D.NY) on team DGF Inc, and none of them are taking this competition lightly.

"We're doing it mostly for fun, but we have been practicing a lot (50 hours plus in the past two weeks for most of us), and we hope to win at least one match," explained Sackamonjaro. "With the RPI matchmaking that I heard about, I think it's possible to win more than one."

Former 3D.NY DoA player, Jared “CaliJared” Reyes could also make an appearance on team DGF Inc. Pro-Am registration is in its final week and changes are still being made, so anything could happen. But if you don’t hurry you’ll be missing out on not only one of the first opportunities to play against the pros, but also a free ticket to qualify for $40,000 and 10% off the official CGS store. There’s generally a $15 fee for Pro-Am registration, but as an inaugural season promotional offer, the Pro-Am is free. Sign-up while you can!