4AM exit Dota 2 esports and Vici Gaming transfers Eurus

Dota 2 esports team Four Angry Men (4AM) is no longer a part of the 4AM.Elephant project and the Chinese superteam is now just ‘Elephant.’ The 4AM.Elephant team was a partnership between the Four Angry Men organization and the Chinese multi-network platform, Little Elephant, until controversies over Zhang “Eurus” Chengjun came up.

4AM and Vici Gaming

The organization’s new Dota 2 team was embroiled in controversies from the first day of the announcement. The team signed some of the biggest names in Chinese Dota 2, including Chinese legend Liu “Sylar” Jiajun, only to then replace him with “Eurus” a few hours later.

But a few days ago, Vici Gaming disallowed Eurus from playing for 4AM.Elephant due to non-payment of the ￥1.5 million transfer fee.

“Elephant still hasn’t confirmed the date of payment for Eurus’ transfer fee, leaving the transfer procedures uncompleted yet. After final communication between both parties, before Elephant pays off Eurus’ transfer fee, Eurus cannot play for the team in tournaments for the time being.” – (translation provided by Blair Zheng to VPesports)

The partnership between 4AM and Elephant started in 2019 and was focused on promoting the 4AM brand through Elephant’s social media channels. But negotiations around their Dota 2 roster got messy. At one point, Eurus was even ready to pay the transfer fee himself just to leave. Chinese fans blamed 4AM for trying to exploit his wish to play alongside Lu “Maybe” Yao and Xu “fy” Linsen, which tarnished the organization’s brand.

Chinese Superteam Elephant Nabs Eurus

Eurus has joined the Elephant Dota 2 roster. Image Credit to Liquipedia.

4AM.Elephant paid Eurus’ transfer fee yesterday and Vici Gaming promptly transferred the player. However, hours after the transfer, 4AM is no longer a part of the squad, with the Dota 2 esports team rebranded to Elephant.

?
The transfer process has been completed. Effective immediately, Zhang 'Eurus' Chengjun is leaving VG to officially join 4AM.Elephant.
We wish our former core player the very best of luck in his new home and we are grateful for his contributions to the legacy of VG #Dota2 ! pic.twitter.com/2XLvJ1YVlf

— VICI Gaming (@VICI) November 16, 2020

Elephant since notified the Chinese DOTA2 Professional Association and ImbaTV that 4AM backed out of the partnership. The Elephant team has a new logo and team banner in the ongoing CDA-FDC Professional Championship and China Dota 2 Pro Cup Season.

Elephant’s Dota 2 roster is now as follows.

Zhang “Eurus” Chengjun.
Lu “Somnus丶M” Yao.
Zhou “Yang” Haiyang.
Xu “fy” Linsen.
Ru “RedPanda” Zhihao.

Previous Vici Gaming Social Media Manager Staka summarized the Eurus drama.

Elephant owes 4AM money.
Elephant owes VG money.
4AM owes Elephant money.

Written by Rohan Samal

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