Vegas Eternal, the Overwatch League (OWL) team, concluded the 2023 season with zero wins, leading to players blaming a staff member for their abysmal performance. Despite the team’s determination to bounce back, their future remains uncertain as plans for the 2024 OWL season have yet to be revealed.
The season proved to be a disappointment for Vegas fans, as the team suffered 16 consecutive losses and only managed to win five out of 53 maps. While the players’ performance played a significant role in these defeats, they collectively held management responsible for their poor results.
The team made controversial changes during the season, replacing three American players with South Korean talents midway through the season. This decision sparked further controversy, with one player, Malthel, publicly criticizing General Manager Avalla and referring to the team as a “negative environment” and a “toxic wasteland.” Former Paris Eternal player BenBest also accused a staff member of mismanagement, which he believed affected Vegas Eternal’s performance.
Controversy also surrounded the decisions made by the team’s staff during matches. With a roster of six players, including one Flex player for emergency situations or strategic moves, substitutions were not always successful. The closest Vegas Eternal came to a victory was in a series against LA Valiant, which ended in a 3-2 loss. Despite the impressive performance of damage player KNIFE, who excelled with his Tracer despite higher ping, his substitution disrupted the team’s momentum and ultimately led to their defeat.
As the season progressed, Vegas Eternal’s performance deteriorated, and the team seemed to lose motivation with each defeat. Despite maintaining the same roster since June, the team failed to turn their fortunes around. Players specifically blamed Avalla for mismanagement, leading her to deactivate her social media accounts following the team’s final loss.
Vegas Eternal’s decline began in 2021, with only one victory throughout the entire regular OWL season in 2022. The team consistently ranked at the bottom, indicating the need for a complete change in direction to revive their fortunes for the 2024 season, if it even takes place. The struggling competitive league faces the possibility of its owners voting to end the OWL’s operating agreement in the coming months.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
