Russian and Ukrainian Dota 2 Team Virtus Pro Extends Contracts
The Dota 2 team Virtus Pro, composed of players from Russia and Ukraine, has announced contract extensions that will keep the squad together through 2019.
The team’s contracts have been extended until the end of the upcoming year, which means they will compete in The International and the full Pro Circuit cycle.
Virtus Pro’s general manager, Roman Dvoryankin, stated in a press release, “Long-term contracts are rare in esports but are crucial for building lasting partnerships. This is a significant step toward establishing more structured regulations, similar to those in traditional sports.”
It comes as no surprise that Virtus Pro secured contract extensions, given their dominance in the Pro Circuit season. Led by team captain Alexei “Solo” Berezin, the team won five ranking events and accumulated an impressive 12,372 qualification points for TI8. They also earned $2,540,000 in prize money from Pro Circuit events alone, making them strong contenders for The International 8 championship.
Solo expressed the team’s commitment, saying, “Virtus.pro is our second family. As we prepare for TI8, contract renewal is extremely important for us. We are giving our best in practice, and we are confident that we will compete in top form.”
Virtus Pro is currently the top contender for this year’s International title, with Team Liquid and Paris St. Germain-LGD Gaming as their toughest competitors.
If Virtus Pro continues performing at their best, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them bring the Aegis of Champions back to Russia.