Player transfers and departures are common in any esports title like Dota 2, but the recent departure of Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov from Tundra Esports has sparked a public debate and shed light on the management issues within the organization.
MinD_ContRoL tweets about his removal from Tundra Esports
The controversy began on the eve of the second day of DreamLeague S22 when Ivanov announced on Twitter that he was removed from Tundra Esports. In a cryptic tweet, he mentioned being “LFT” after being “kicked before the match.” This announcement quickly caught the attention of the esports world, prompting responses from major organizations and community members.
Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov’s tweet about his kick from Tundra Esports (Image credit: Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov)
During a stream with Dota 2 personality Gorgc, Ivanov explained his departure from Tundra. He mentioned disagreements over team leadership and dissatisfaction with recent changes as the main reasons for his exit.
MinD_ContRoL specifically mentioned his displeasure at teammate Ivan “Pure” Moskalenko stripping him of his captaincy and criticized the addition of players David “MoonMeander” Tan and Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg to the team. He also questioned the effectiveness of zai’s role as a general manager in a Dota 2 team structure.
The situation escalated when Ivanov demanded Tundra’s CEO choose between him and the new trio, ultimately leading to his departure. Despite the emotional turmoil, Ivanov expressed respect for the CEO’s decision.
Tundra Esports’ Formal Response
In response to Ivanov’s announcement, Tundra Esports issued a statement confirming his indefinite suspension pending an “internal disciplinary investigation.” The statement hinted at ongoing review processes within the organization and described Ivanov’s demands as “unreasonable.” However, the organization did not provide detailed information about the circumstances or disciplinary issues.
Tundra Esports’ announcement about Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov’s departure (Image credits: Tundra Esports)
Pro players weigh in on the situation
The drama has garnered reactions from various individuals in the Dota 2 community. Team Liquid coach William “BlitZ” Lee and former Tundra player and International 11 champion Oliver “skiter” Lepko shared their perspectives, emphasizing patience and a balanced assessment of the situation. Jacob “Maelk” Toft-Andersen, a respected figure in the retired Dota 2 pro scene, criticized the public handling of the dispute by both parties.
Dota 2 community voices concerns about Tundra Esports
A majority of the Dota 2 community has expressed discontent with how Tundra Esports managed the situation. The community believes that Tundra breached a promise to Ivanov regarding his team role, especially with the introduction of new players. As more information is awaited from Tundra Esports, MinD_ContRoL’s actions seem justified until a detailed account from the organization is provided.
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