Los Angeles Valiant Release Entire Roster Ahead of Move to China
The Los Angeles Valiant released all seven players on its roster and its entire staff Friday ahead of a move to compete in China. The team blamed the release on visa problems caused by the move.
"We want to thank all the players and staff moving on today from the LA Valiant due to COVID-related visa issues, as we prepare to compete in China this season," reads the Overwatch League team's statement. "We've worked to facilitate the best available next steps for our players and staff and wish them all the best moving forward."
2021 Roster Update: pic.twitter.com/wLegf51MAI
— Los Angeles Valiant (@LAValiant) January 29, 2021
The announcement comes just weeks after the Valiant denied reports that it had been sold to a Chinese owner.
The dropped players are now put in an extremely difficult position. With the offseason nearly over, most teams have already filled out their rosters. The Valiant's former players are left with few opportunities, if any, to find a new team for this season.
Fan-favorite DPS player Brady "Agilities" Girardi announced he likely would not compete in this year's season as a result of the Valiant's decision.
"[Pretty] disappointed in how this situation unfolded but what can u do," he tweeted Friday.
Finally thought I made it out of Australia but things change.? Forever grateful to @Packing_10 and @UnterOW for making my dream come true even if it was short. I was super excited to play with these players and really hope they find teams. Thanks everyone for all the support. ♥️ https://t.co/lTUMmttkQ7
— Adam (@AdamFromAus) January 29, 2021
Agilities isn't alone in that feeling. Off-tank Adam Soong's signing to the Valiant in November represented his first chance to compete outside of Australia, a region from which teams are typically hesitant to sign talent because of long travel times and difficult visa requirements. Friday's deal dashed that dream.
The Valiant's announcement echoes the Vancouver Titans' abrupt dismissal of its South Korean roster in May 2020, another fiasco that deeply undercut player stability and fan faith in the league.
The Valiant's former roster included Agilities, Adam, DPS players Kai Collins and Johannes "Shax" Nielsen, supports Jae Ho "RaiN" Park and Jungwon "Lastro" Mun, and tank Sanglok "Dreamer" Song.
Director of competitive esports Mike Schwartz, head coach and general manager Mike "Packing10" Szklanny, associate head coach Max "Unter" Unterwurzacher, assistant coaches Jordan "Gunba" Graham and Sungwoo Hong, and translator Hyunmin "Lutional" Kim have all lost their jobs as a result of the move.
The Overwatch League's 2021 season begins in April.