Syed “SumaiL” Hassan’s Legal Battle with Evil Geniuses Heads to Trial
Syed “SumaiL” Hassan, a prominent player in the esports game Dota 2, is preparing to go to trial against his former team Evil Geniuses. After months of discussions, the trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6.
In March, reporter Richard Lewis revealed legal documents related to SumaiL’s lawsuit against EG. The lawsuit alleges that the organization took advantage of SumaiL, who was young and vulnerable at the time. According to Lewis, key witnesses have been approached to testify in the case after most of EG’s requests were denied by SumaiL’s legal team.
SumaiL’s representation claims that when he signed a contract with EG in 2016, he received a share ownership stake in the company in addition to his salary. However, when EG was purchased by Peak6 Strategic Capital group in 2019, SumaiL’s stake converted into mixed stock that only benefited the Peak6 members.
Furthermore, EG reportedly offered SumaiL a “mutual release” or termination clause after he was moved to the inactive roster. These offers allegedly included harsh obligations and forfeitures that limited SumaiL’s options to pursue other playing opportunities. After leaving EG in 2020, the organization offered to buy SumaiL’s stock for $1 million on the condition that he retired from competitive play.
In response to EG’s admission requests, SumaiL’s team denied many of them, stating that EG’s requests were overly broad. They maintained their initial claim that EG took advantage of SumaiL during his time with the team.
The trial is scheduled for Nov. 6, and several ex-EG staff and players have been listed as witnesses. This includes SumaiL’s former Dota teammates like Fear, Universe, Arteezy, Cr1t-, and Peter “ppd” Dager, who also served as EG’s CEO. Former COO Philip Aram and recently removed CEO Jameson were also mentioned as potential witnesses.
Further details about the trial will be confirmed in late October. In the meantime, SumaiL is currently playing with Team Secret and focusing on the next stage of his Dota career after The International 12.
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