Cloud9, the owners of the UK Overwatch League spot, are without an Overwatch manager.
Ali “Alicus” Saba has left the org, citing an ‘alleged contractual dispute’ with some former players.
He said in a Twitlonger: “It is with a heavy heart that I must now officially announce my resignation from my position running Overwatch operations for Cloud 9.
“Due to some unforeseen circumstances, including both personal and business matters, it is best for my career development and for the organisation that I move on to explore other options and opportunities that have been presented to me. In particular, an alleged contractual dispute with a few former players has surfaced that now requires my full and immediate attention to ensure that the situation is properly and justly resolved.”
Alicus thanked Cloud9, founder Jack Etienne and the players for the opportunity.
The legal dispute is not explained. A lawyer for five former players and a staff member told theScore esports the dispute doesn’t involve Cloud9.
“An alleged contractual dispute with a few former players has surfaced that now requires my full and immediate attention.”
Alicus
According to Dot Esports, a source said that Alicus had ‘multiple’ Overwatch League offers in June and July, ahead of the Cloud9 acquisition. “Those were turned down, however, as the offers were just for Saba, and not the Laser Kittenz team,” the report stated.
The news comes after Cloud9 acquired another Overwatch team, South Korean side KongDoo Panthera.
Jack said on the Overwatch Reddit that Cloud9 will support the former Laser Kittenz roster, as well as the NA Cloud9 team, as they trial for new teams, as pointed out by Dot Esports.
It’s not yet been announced who will represent Cloud9 in the Overwatch League, which starts in January 2018 (after the pre-season gets underway in December 2017).
Cloud9 picked up the London Overwatch League spot back in August, much to Fnatic’s ire, who are already based in London.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
