BearClaw Gaming's Valorant roster, staff claim missed payments

Olivia Richman Published 17/02/2021

Another Valorant team has allegedly been terminated without payment.

Shortly after Phoenix1 was accused of not paying its former Valorant players, BearClaw Gaming has come under fire for the same concerning reasons. According to general manager Steven Kim, BearClaw Gaming’s parent company, Plynius, has not paid any of its players or provided basic support for the Valorant team’s operations. Kim stated that nobody has been paid since the beginning of January, which was when BearClaw signed the all-Korean Valorant roster.

Without the proper support or payments, all of the players and staff terminated their contracts. Kim stated Plynius had created an “unstable situation” that didn’t align with the contractual agreement.

????Announcement to all the fans in Esports????
I appreciate the retweet, this is a huge issue and I hope other people know about this.
리트윗 부탁드립니다. 여러분들의 도움이 필요합니다! 꼭 널리 널리 퍼트려주세요. 이스포츠에서 이런 일들이 다시는 일어나지 않아야 합니다. pic.twitter.com/rebXiluBOl
— Steven Kim (@StevenKim_96) February 14, 2021

Kim stated that the players are hoping to stay in Valorant. He explained that they are searching for the “best way to maximize their abilities and skills.” For now, they have decided to continue participating whenever possible under a different banner.

BearClaw Gaming’s CEO, Harley Parks, confirmed in an interview that none of the players or staff, including herself, have been paid since signing at the beginning of 2021. Reaper said that she still held the trademark for the BearClaw Gaming brand and has pulled out of the deal with Plynius. Parks also stated that the players’ contracts were with Plynius, not BearClaw Gaming, and that the responsibility for missed payments lies with them.

The former BearClaw Gaming Valorant roster is now competing under the name Team MUYAHO. The Korean team is looking for a new sponsor as it looks to break out.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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