Cloud9 have announced the release of Super Smash Bros. Melee legend, Joseph ‘mang0’ Marquez, following uproar over his conduct at Ludwig Ahgren’s “Beerio Kart” event. The release brings to an end the 11-year relationship between the Smash player and the American esports organisation.
It brings to a sad end a highly successful competitive partnership, which has seen mang0 win several of SSBM’s most coveted titles, including his first EVO with the organisation in 2014, defeating long-term rival Hungrybox. The American ended the year as number one in Melee’s official ranking system, SSBMRank.
Cloud9’s statement, however, emphasised that it was conduct and not accomplishments that had swayed their hand to letting go of mang0, stating “Regardless of tenure of accomplishments, the behavior demonstrated is entirely unacceptable and directly conflicts with our organization’s core values.”
Despite the bitter ending, Cloud9’s statement wishes the American streamer and Smash player “the best in his future endeavours.”
mang0 thanked his former org in reply to the statement, stating, “I’m sorry C9… You guys were always amazing to me, and I’m so sorry it has to end this way appreciate everyone at the org C9 will always have a special place in my heart … =/”
What did mang0 do?
mang0 was participating in Ludwig’s Beerio Kart event, in which streamers competed in Mario Kart World as a form of drinking game. After getting eliminated from the tournament, mang0 approached streamers Extra Smily and Miya Higa, performatively humping several times and touching the streamers without permission, despite the clear discomfort of both women.
Following the initial backlash, mang0 was banned from future events organised by Ahgren. The Smash player promised to “re-evaluate his relationship with alcohol” stating that “99 percent of my problems always stem from drinking.” The Smash player went on to say he will accept the consequences of his actions, and does not want anyone to feel bad for him, or defend him.
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Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
