G2 CEO Carlos Rodriguez’s much-criticised party visit to Andrew Tate may have been the trigger for G2’s missed jump into the VALORANT professional league. Insiders have a clear opinion. Meanwhile, all 30 teams for the 2023 VCT season are set.
Big setback for G2 Esports: just days after G2 boss Carlos “ocelote” Rodriguez’s publicly criticised meeting with polarising internet personality Andrew Tate, the partnership with the new VALORANT professional league has fallen through. As of Wednesday afternoon, it is clear which teams will be part of the line-up as franchises.
Riot Games announced the three leagues of the brand new VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) along with their teams on Wednesday afternoon. One of the missing big names is G2 Esports.
Welcome to the next era of the VCT
We are proud to introduce the 30 teams who will compete in the VALORANT Champions Tour in 2023.
– VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 21, 2022
Actually, the franchise spot for G2 Esports in the VCT’s North American region should have been all but assured. However, journalists such as “neL” revealed on Tuesday that there had been several inside information regarding a U-turn by Riot Games. The VALORANT developer, which also pushes the esports scene, had consulted in an “emergency meeting” after because of Saturday’s meeting between ocelote and Andrew Tate.
VALORANT: Sources told me that G2 is OUT of franchising (NA & EU) for next year because of recent controversy.
G2 had a spot locked in NA, but Riot had an emergency meeting and decided otherwise. Likely LEV is having the last NA spot.
– neL (@neLendirekt) September 20, 2022
Riot Games has yet to officially comment on whether G2 Esports is not part of the VCT due to this incident and ocelote’s subsequent response. According to media reports, Tate is suspected of human trafficking and has been criticised by numerous users for his misogynistic statements on social media. He is currently blocked from all channels.
Carlos Rodriguez had already humbled himself via Twitter on Sunday due to the negative response from the community. “I feel terrible about the discussions I have caused. I will accept the full consequences.” He is currently suspended from his post as CEO of the organisation for two months.
Many G2 fans were let down this weekend which created confusion about what I stand for.
It has always been my consistent target to stand for absolute equality of opportunity regardless of who you are or where you come from, which is what gaming is all about. (1/2)– 😌 (@CarlosR) September 18, 2022
It is unknown if Riot Games chose to take this step due to these allegations against Tate and the association with ocelote. However, these negative headlines would have been a potential motive to summarily decide against a VCT partnership with G2 Esports.
G2 reportedly hoped for more marketing opportunities in North America and therefore applied for this region, even though the organisation is headquartered in Berlin with a European team.
All teams on the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023
As of Wednesday afternoon, there is official clarity: All 30 teams of the total of three VCT regions are fixed for the year 2023.
VCT EMEA
- Vitality
- Karmine Corp
- BBL
- FUT Esports
- Giants
- Heretics
- KOI
- Natus Vincere
- Fnatic
- Team Liquid
VCT Americas
- 100 Thieves
- Cloud9
- Evil Geniuses
- FURIA
- KRÜ Esports
- Leviatán
- LOUD
- MIBR
- NRG
- Sentinels
VCT Pacific
- Detonation Gaming
- DRX
- Gen.G
- Global Esports
- Paper Rex
- Rex Regum Qeon
- T1
- Talon Esports
- Team Secret
- ZETA DIVISION
The franchise model in VALORANT is similar to the one already in place in League of Legends, which is also run by Riot Games. Only selected teams that have gone through a rigorous application process have the opportunity to establish themselves in this system.
