Evil Geniuses Leave CS2 and the LCS

Evil Geniuses Drop CS2 Teams and Sell LCS Slot Amidst Controversies

Evil Geniuses, once a powerhouse in the esports world, is facing a tumultuous period as reports emerge of the organization dropping its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams and actively seeking to sell its franchise slot in the North American League of Legends league, the LCS.

The organization is currently navigating through a challenging phase, operating with a reduced staff after announcing its third round of layoffs last week. The aftermath of these layoffs has seen Evil Geniuses parting ways with its DOTA 2 team post the 2023 edition of The International, marking a significant departure from the esports scene.

This series of setbacks is not new for Evil Geniuses, especially since its acquisition by Peak6 Capital. Recent controversies have marred the organization's reputation, including allegations of complicity in the abuse of one of its star League of Legends players. Reports suggest that Evil Geniuses is holding its championship-winning Valorant team in a contractual limbo, a situation that is boosting dissatisfaction from the team and has strained relations with the community.

The latest development, detailed in a report by Richard Lewis, sheds light on the organization's decision to drop its CS2 teams and the ongoing process of selling its LCS slot. According to sources, Evil Geniuses is set to disband its men's CS2 team after December, with the women's teams expected to follow suit before that time.

As of now, Evil Geniuses boasts three CS2 rosters: its main men's roster, an academy team named EG Black, and a women's team known as EG Gold. The organization also has a women's Valorant squad gearing up to compete at the Game Changers Championship in November.

Evil Geniuses had initially ventured into the Counter-Strike scene with a four-team experiment in April, but the recent downsizing indicates a shift in strategy. The organization reentered the esports landscape in 2019 through the acquisition of the NRG Esports roster.

The report further details that Evil Geniuses is actively engaged in the process of selling its LCS slot, with Enthusiast Gaming emerging as the most likely buyer. Enthusiast Gaming, already owning the Luminosity Gaming brand and operating the Vancouver Titans in the Overwatch League, appears poised to take on this new venture. The fact that TSM dropped its LCS slot and is planning on investing in the LPL instead also boosts the theory that most competitive teams will likely leave the West to look for more profitable pursuits in China and Korea.

As Evil Geniuses undergoes a restructuring phase, the esports community watches closely to see how these changes will impact the organization's future. The turbulence surrounding Evil Geniuses serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by esports organizations, even those with a storied history. As the story unfolds, questions linger about the fate of the organization's teams, its presence in various esports titles, and the potential shift in ownership of its LCS slot.

The esports landscape continues to evolve, and Evil Geniuses finds itself at a crossroads, navigating through adversity in a bid to secure its place in the ever-competitive world of professional gaming.

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