TSM exits Fortnite, releases all pro players from its roster

TSM has announced the withdrawal of its Fortnite division and is subsequently parting ways with three professional players. 

The North American organization officialized the news of exiting the Fortnite scene on Monday, leaving three of its professional players as free agents.  The news wraps up Rocco “Saf” Morales, Kerry “Ferrrnando” Salas, and Mack “MackWood” Aesoph’s tenure in TSM ahead of 2021 season. 

Today we’re announcing our departure from competitive Fortnite and parting ways with @MackWood1x, @TSM_Ferrrnando, and @Safarooniee.

Thank you for everything you contributed to TSM during your time with the org. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. pic.twitter.com/A9M9TchuA6

— TSM (@TSM) February 1, 2021

TSM’s departure from Fortnite may affect the three players’ opportunity to compete for a prize pool of $20 million. The developer has recently bumped the prize money by $3 million. Before the announcement, the community had anticipated a lower prize pool, considering the recent decline in Fortnite winnings. However, the developer has raised the prize by a significant margin, making it the largest in the current competitive calendar of Fortnite. The players may want to find a team before the season kicks off to help partake in the competition. 

TSM gives up Fortnite esports roster

TSM entered the Fortnite esports scene when it was still in its embryonic stages. The exit is surely dispiriting for the TSM fans as the famed organization watered the growing ecosystem by bringing forward some of the best Fortnite professionals. While Saf and Ferrnando were recent additions to the team, Mackwood had been on TSM’s payroll since 2019. The players have decorated resumes in Epic Games’ battle royale. Mackwood and Saf had previously won Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS), a prestigious title in Fortnite esports. This should facilitate their hunt for a new home if the players wish to compete again in the future. 

TSM may have evacuated its professional Fortnite division, but the organization is holding onto its content creators around the game. The club currently has Sardar “ops” Ghafoor, Josh “Commandment” Roach, and Anthony “ZexRow” Colandro who are pushing out Battle Royale content. While Zexrow likes to switch between Fortnite and other trending games, Commandment has strictly stuck with Epic Games’ battle royale.

Looking at TSM’s current strategy, it seems that it’s following in the footsteps of other organizations including Chaos Esports and 100 Thieves, who have moved some game divisions to solely support content creation rather than competitive endeavors. After the release of its professional players, more new video content may be expected from TSM.