Evil Geniuses reportedly wants to play VCT Americas, despite rumours of esports exit
Evil Geniuses is reportedly planning to stay at least for another season in the Americas Division of the VALORANT Champions Tour despite recent rumours around the VCT Champions-winning organisation implying that its squad members had found new homes.
The news arrives amid reports of a potential exit from esports of EG parent organisation Peak6 Capital.
Time is ticking
According to a rumour by VALORANT insider @lembo006, Evil Geniuses is looking to participate in the upcoming season of VCT Americas. On Twitter, the Spaniard shared that despite an interest by esports organisation M80, no agreement could be found for the 2024 season.
Lembo also communicated that the team was unlikely to field the same roster with which it had won the World Championship. This matches with recent signals that its members had given off that a departure from the organisation was imminent, with esports org NRG signalling that it has signed a new team, too.
In September, esports journalist Richard Lewis reported on EG's players being confronted with a potential pay cut weeks after having won the largest title in the VALORANT esports calendar. Lewis' report also disclosed that the organisation had turned down multiple buyout offers for its players at that point.
With the roster lock rapidly approaching in January, the shot clock for Evil Geniuses is ticking. Zugzwang is decreasing its leverage in any potential negotiations, whether those are with its roster or other esports organisations.
A potential exit from esports
In a follow-up report, Lewis outlined a pattern of decisions from EG's parent company, Peak6, which may indicate an exit from esports at large, laying off a large part of the staff and several teams as well as retaining services from Development Specialist Incorporated - a financial advisory company.
In recent weeks, EG sold its BLAST Premier slot in Counter-Strike to esports organisation Cloud9, and took a buyout offer by the LCS at a significant loss. While the continuation of its program in the VALORANT Champions Tour could be interpreted as a counter-signal, Riot's partnership agreement may make it feasible for Peak6 to delay its final decision on the continuation of its commitment to esports.
Evil Geniuses has yet to announce any departures from its 2023 roster, nor has it shared any signing of potential new players for its VALORANT line-up.
