T1 Transfer – Doran – Zeus Reveals a Long-Standing Mistake in Professional League of Legends
On the evening of November 19, T1 sent shockwaves through the community by announcing the departure of Zeus and the signing of Doran. However, this situation is not merely about a player seeking a new home and T1 needing a quality replacement. It turns out that a complex transfer drama is unfolding, once again involving the agent of T1’s superstar.
In reality, T1 behaved professionally, and Zeus’s representative did nothing wrong by protecting the interests of their player (which also aligns with their own interests). However, this has transformed Zeus into a villain. Once a beloved player, he now departs “without fanfare,” and T1 is even considering legal action against Zeus’s agent.
One undeniable truth that player agencies may not anticipate is the reaction from fans. Unlike many other sports, Esports players, particularly in League of Legends, have a close interaction with their fans. With the glory they have achieved, no T1 fan wants to see Zeus leave, let alone in such a dramatic fashion.
Consequences for Zeus, T1, and Doran in This Transfer Drama
The image of Zeus will undoubtedly tarnish slightly, and his fans may feel disappointed. Moreover, Zeus’s future destination will be scrutinized more than usual. For T1, they are repeating old mistakes by believing that players will remain completely loyal to the team or at least have enough ties for their agents to consider.
However, players are still very young, and during such times, they allow their agents to take control. Zeus is one such case. The T1 player considered many other options besides T1, but his agent took the lead in negotiations during this transfer window instead of Zeus.
Doran will also be affected, but clearly, he is gaining quite a following. One fan even remarked, “If Doran performs well, people will quickly forget this drama, and he will gain a huge fanbase.”
Notably, this is not the first time T1 has faced trouble during transfer windows. In 2021, Zeus’s predecessor, Canna, also encountered contract issues. This led to Canna’s departure amidst controversy, Zeus being promoted, and now, the “Thunder God” is following in the footsteps of his predecessor.