T1’s decision to bench Gumayusi and start Smash, their rookie ADC from their Challengers team, was a controversial decision from the moment it happened. And, despite Smash being a strong player, he’s now been replaced with Gumayusi once again. However, this decision wasn’t made in typical fashion.
Rather than T1’s coaching staff looking at the performance of both players and picking who they preferred , T1 CEO Joe Marsh took matters into his own hands and reinstated Gumayusi himself. In a near-unprecedented move in esports, the owner of the organization has overwritten his coaching staff and chosen for them to get the Worlds-winning ADC back on the starting roster. T1’s CEO takes matters into his own hands His statement to T1 fans explains the initial decision, his intervention, and that both Gumayusi and Smash are valued members of the organization.
“I understand many of you have been frustrated by our silence regarding roster changes and the possibility of a six-man lineup. Please know that this was never out of disregard for our fans, but rather due to ongoing internal discussions between management and our coaching staff,” he explained. “I have complete trust in ‘Becker’, ‘kkOma’ and the coaching staff, and, after extensive conversations with them, I have requested that ‘Gumayusi’ be part of the starting lineup and as a result, he will be starting when the regular season begins.
This decision was not made lightly – but as CEO, it is my respon.
