One of the most iconic pro gamers in history, Matt “Nadeshot” Haag, has announced the formation of a new team, casting his future with OpTic Gaming into doubt.
Nadeshot announced the surprise move last night in a video on his YouTube channel, announcing that he was starting a new organization called 100 Thieves.
In the video, Nadeshot said he hadn’t shared the news with anyone involved in OpTic, and cast doubt on whether he’d remain part of the organization going forward.
“We’re going to have to hurdle that issue when we get there,” Nadeshot said in the video. “I don’t know if I’m going to be involved with Optic at the end of all this.”
Nadeshot’s future with OpTic had been in question in recent weeks, after he disassociated himself with the organization on social media and returned to streaming on Twitch after a period of exclusively streaming on MLG.
Perhaps part of the reason for the quiet parting-of-ways is a major sponsorship conflict. Since January 2013, Nadeshot has been a Red Bull sponsored player. That deal is separate from any sponsorship relating to the OpTic team. Last month, OpTic announced a partnership with Pepsi-owned Brisk Mate, a direct competitor to Red Bull.
The conflict between being individually sponsored by Red Bull and being an owner of an organization sponsored by a Pepsi brand could well have caused issues for Nadeshot. Despite being the team’s most recognizable personality, Nadeshot has not appeared in any publicity for the Brisk Mate deal, or made any comment about it publicly since the announcement last month.
His new team, 100 Thieves, has acquired the Call of Duty lineup King Papey. They’ll compete at the Call of Duty World League Stage 2, which begins tomorrow.
