ROKKR, Subliners, Ultra, And OpTic All Make Early Roster Releases
Rostermania is officially in full swing. With the 'plus one' team option issued on contracts having to have been exercised by August 14, the mayhem which erupted after the deadline passed has been nothing short of exceptional.
In typical rostermania fashion, some of the biggest dominoes fell first, and the likes of New York Subliners, Minnesota ROKKR, Toronto Ultra, and even OpTic Texas began their clear-outs.
Minnesota ROKKR Release Entire Roster But Want Them Back
The first major fatality of the off-season saw Minnesota ROKKR collapse their entire roster. Shortly after the clock chimed for rostermania to begin, Dillon "Attach" Price announced that he was a free agent for the upcoming season.
This began a chain reaction for ROKKR, with Eli "Standy" Bentz and Preston "Priestahh" Greiner also joining Attach in free agency, while the organisation also revealed that they will not be extending Colt "Havoc" McLendon's contract with the team option clause.
Strangely enough, Brett Diamond, COO of Version1 and ROKKR, has claimed that "We’re talking with them about the possibility of re-signing as we evaluate all options," indicating that some of the team may re-sign with the org, possibly with a new three-year contract.
Crimsix And PaulEhx Leave New York Subliners
If Attach thought he might be the biggest name on the agency list, he was quickly corrected, as New York Subliners' Ian "Crimsix" Porter has left the organisation as an unrestricted player.
Fellow Assault Rifle player Paul "PaulEhx" Avila is also up for grabs this year too, although New York has added another year to his contract, presumably to attract bidders while he warms the substitutes bench.
Paul also revealed live on the popular talk show The Flank that he will likely be being replaced by Florida Muitineers' Cesar "Skyz" Bueno. It appears that Paco "HyDra" Rusiewiez was instrumental in bringing Skyz in.
Bance Leaves Toronto Ultra And Hints At A London Royal Ravens Switch
After three years at Toronto Ultra, Benjamin "Bance" Bance has officially left the Canadian organisation. The move comes amid a possible introduction of fellow countrymen Charlie "Hicksy" Hicks, who was a part of the Toronto Ultra Academy NA team which won multiple Challengers events throughout the year.
Bance quickly took to social media too to hint towards a London Royal Ravens switch too, given that the British organisation look to be continuing their theme of boasting EU-only talent. The SMG player was seen tweeting Ravens' Joey "Gismo" Owen shortly after, saying "it's time."
More moves are also expected in the Ultra camp too, as Hicky's teammate and Assault Rifle phenomenon Thomas "Scrappy" Ernst is expected to get a shot, although they face a difficult coin flip between Jamie "Insight" Craven and Cameron "Cammy" McKilligan as to who is replaced.
OpTic Texas Release Two Players
Ahead of the Modern Warfare 2 season, the mighty OpTic Texas starting roster appears to be sticking together, despite their players taking extensive vacations.
However, their two substitutes will be leaving the organisation. Jordon "General" General leaves OpTic after three years in and amongst their ranks and will be followed by Byron "Prolute" Vera.
Both players had the opportunity to step into the green jerseys of OpTic this season, but never quite managed to make enough impact that they could be considered a permanent replacement for the injured Indervir "iLLeY" Dhaliwal.
More rostermania action is likely to unfold over the next two weeks especially, as players will be able to sign the dotted line on their contacts as of August 22.