The Truth Behind Zeus's Transfer Controversy: T1 vs. The Play, Unveiling the Hidden Story
0% Commission: Addressing Financial Motive Allegations
It has been revealed that the contract between Zeus and The Play stipulated a 0% commission. This fact refutes allegations that The Play transferred Zeus to Hanwha Life Esports for financial gain. From a marketing and sponsorship perspective, T1 would have likely been the more advantageous choice. The Play's business model focuses on the long-term value of players, which explains their decision to forgo commission in this negotiation.
This information contradicts T1 CEO Joe Marsh's claim of 'prioritizing financial interests.' The Play reportedly anticipated re-signing with T1 and believed the agency's role would be minimal in this process.
Offers and Counter-offers: The Reality of Negotiations
While CEO Joe Marsh claimed that The Play did not make counter-offers during negotiations, evidence suggests otherwise. Messenger chat logs confirm that The Play did make counter-offers to T1 during the free agency period and maintained consistent communication.
CEO Kang Beom-jun explained that they didn't make a counter-offer during the priority negotiation phase because 'T1's initial offer was inadequate for a player who contributed to two World Championship victories.' The Play's strategy was to assess Zeus's market value in the free agency market.
November 19th, 3 PM: The Truth About the Deadline
The controversial 3 PM deadline on November 19th was actually set by Hanwha Life Esports, not T1. This wasn't a rejection of a 'beautiful farewell' with T1, but rather a reflection of the practical aspects of negotiations.
In fact, Zeus asked Hanwha Life Esports to extend the deadline by 30 minutes and directly spoke with T1's negotiator. Although they couldn't reach a final agreement due to differences in contract duration, it appears Zeus wanted to stay with T1 until the very end.
The Reality of the 'Unacceptable Offer'
The crux of the controversy lies in the content of T1's 'unacceptable offer.' While CEO Kang Beom-jun couldn't disclose specific details due to confidentiality clauses, he expressed willingness to reveal all negotiation contents and processes if T1 agrees.
As a T1 youth academy graduate, Zeus wanted to stay with the team, but the offer received during the priority negotiation period seemingly fell short of expectations. This ultimately led to his transfer to Hanwha Life Esports after assessing his market value.
The Truth About the Apology: Misunderstandings and Clarifications
The Play's apology to T1 also became a point of contention. While The Play did send a long message to T1 starting with 'I'm truly sorry,' this was more of a courteous expression for a 'beautiful closure' rather than an official apology.
CEO Kang Beom-jun explained that this message was sent at the request of Zeus's father, intending to resolve misunderstandings and maintain relationships. This interpretation differs from how CEO Joe Marsh perceived the apology.
Future Outlook: Uncovering the Truth and Protecting Players
CEO Kang Beom-jun emphasized that Zeus is still suffering from unfounded rumors about tampering. He believes that accurate information dissemination, rather than continuous rebuttals, is the best way to protect the player. They are currently awaiting a response from the Esports Fair Committee.
This incident highlights the complexity of esports contract negotiations and the importance of transparency. To prevent similar situations in the future, the industry may need to improve its systems and communication methods across the board.