Counter Logic Gaming Accused of Poaching Team Dignitas Top Laner
According to a source within Team Dignitas, Counter Logic Gaming allegedly attempted to poach their top laner, Darshan “ZionSpartan” Upadhyaya, during the League Championship Series playoffs in Seattle, Wash.
If these allegations are true, Counter Logic Gaming would have violated LCS poaching rules by approaching Upadhyaya in August. The LCS rules explicitly state that no “team member or affiliate” can offer employment to a player currently signed with an LCS team. They are also prohibited from “encouraging” players to break or terminate their contracts with their team.
Upadhyaya’s contract with Dignitas is set to end on October 20, 2014. Therefore, any attempt to coerce him into breaking his contract before this date would be a violation of LCS rules.
The source also confirmed that William “Scarra” Li, former coach of Team Dignitas, will join Counter Logic Gaming as a coach. This move has been rumored for weeks.
Dignitas management is unaware of Upadhyaya’s plans or whether the poaching attempt was successful.
Team Dignitas owner Michael “Odee” O’Dell hinted at what has been happening behind the scenes in a tweet.
Tomorrow I will celebrate my free agency as an LCS Manager by having TWO poached eggs Cannot Love Good food more !!!!!!! ……………….
— Michael O’Dell (@dignitasODEE) October 20, 2014
Earlier this year, Riot Games fined Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg from Team Solo Mid $2,000 for violating a poaching rule. He had attempted to convince a contracted player on Lemondogs to leave the team.
Counter Logic Gaming and Riot Games did not respond to a request for comment at the time of this writing.
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