The International 10 qualifiers are around the corner, and Level Up esports lose their Dota 2 roster as Nikola “LeBronDoTa” Popovic reforms team as Spider Pigzs.
Dropping their org
Balkan-based European Dota 2 team, Level Up esports, have lost their slot for The International (TI) 10 qualifiers. As a result, LeBronDoTa and the rest of the team have decided to go independent for the upcoming tournament and will play under the banner of Spider Pigzs.
If you’re asking yourself why that new team name sounds familiar, it’s because this was the same independent team name LeBronDota rose to prominence under in 2016. During that time, the Spider Pigsz impressed the European Dota 2 scene by placing 2nd in the Manila Major qualifiers and winning both the WePlay Invitational #2 and the ProDotA Cup Europe #6.
Elements One eventually picked up the roster. Then the roster shuffled several times, leaving the Spider Pigzs name in the dust. LeBronDota ended up bouncing around with Elements One, Elements Pro, NaVi, then finally Level Up.
Unsatisfied with Level UP
LeBronDota explained in a series of short Twitter threads what had transpired between the players and Level Up esports that lead to them leaving. He explained that he could no longer get along and work with the team’s owner and coach. This pushed him to decided to leave the group.
He expressed that Level Up compensated the team three times less than what they usually get from other organizations. LeBronDota also commented how the working conditions with Level Up were also three times worse than with others.
Nevertheless, the now-Spider Pigzs captain said that he and the team stayed with Level Up for three years due to loyalty. When he decided not to sign a new contract with Level Up, the rest of the roster followed suit and joined him in his new team.
The fallout
As a result of the drama between Level Up esports and LeBronDota, Level Up esports are currently without a roster and have yet to announce the replacements. Spider Pigzs, on the other hand, have decided to bench Leonardo “Rdo” Fernandes in favor of Kamil “aggressive child” Biktimirov due to travel complications caused by Rdo, who hails from Brazil.
Level Up responds
Level Up esports responded with a Twitlonger saying:
“…The team agreed to play under those conditions [Level Up pays for the cost of preparing the team for TI10 qualifiers, but no one gets a salary for that month], everyone except Lebron. Because Lebron holds the slot for the DPC, he made sure to persuade the players towards himself and leave Level UP organization. Leaving the organization, they lost all resources to bring Rdo back to Europe, which lead to Lebron’s decision to kick him and get the CIS player AgressiveChild.”
LEvel Up Esports
