Before we head into the meat of this situation. This post serves as an update to a situation we previously reported on, concerning Riot Games and their decision surrounding The Guard’s VCT spot.
A few days ago, Riot Games had made the shocking announcement that it wouldn’t allow The Guard’s players to find a new organization for representation in the VCT Americas.
Update on The Guard’s VCT Spot Controversy! – Valorant Competitive News
This was due to The Guard failing to meet the deadline to agree to the Team Participation Agreement. Consequently, Riot stated that the VCT Americas would remain a ten-team league in 2024.
Leo Faria, the Head of Valorant Esports, elucidated that letting the players find a different organization would set a dicey precedent where VCT slots could potentially be sold. Furthermore, they also declined the opportunity for Ascension runners-up, M80, emphasizing that “promotion is earned in-game, not out of it.”
Community Backlash Prompted Everything
The decision was met with stern criticism from the community, especially the Americas Valorant Players Association. A petition rapidly gained momentum, with over 10,000 signatures, urging Riot to let The Guard’s players find a new organization.
The community fervently believed that these players had rightfully earned their place in the league.
Leo Faria later addressed this backlash, signaling that Riot was seeking a “positive outcome for the players.”
In a significant turn of events, Riot reversed its stance. Through a statement on X/Twitter, it was revealed that The Guard’s players were freed from their contracts on September 1, enabling them to explore offers from different organizations.
Riot also gave them the green light to “present a suitable candidate organization for the Ascended slot.”
Acknowledging the oversight, Faria confessed on X/Twitter that Riot had indeed made the wrong initial decision. He expressed his relief at the chance to rectify this oversight.
Michael ‘neT’ Bernet, a member of The Guard, expressed profound gratitude to the Valorant community for their immense support. “This would not have been possible without you guys,” he stated warmly. Similarly, Jonah ‘JonahP’ Pulice shared his relief, conveying the immense stress that had now been alleviated from the team.
What’s Next for The Guard?
Currently, it’s still ambiguous if The Guard will be required to retain its entire lineup or just a majority to qualify for the spot. There were rumors of potential changes in the team lineup prior to Riot’s initial announcement on August 29.
This reversal of decision by Riot shows the power of a community be it any competitive game. It also highlights the importance of fair play and respecting the efforts of players who have worked tirelessly to achieve their dreams. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story!
