TL;DR
- Bwipo confirmed rejecting Fnatic contract extension during live stream
- Performance dissatisfaction cited as primary reason for departure decision
- Analyst desk appearances suggest potential broadcasting career path
- Contract remains valid until November 2021 with options still open
- Fnatic’s 2018 championship roster continues to undergo significant changes
In a decisive move that shocked the League of Legends community, top laner Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau utilized his personal broadcast platform to verify circulating reports about his contract situation. The Belgian professional directly addressed speculation regarding both his and teammate Oskar “Selfmade” Boderek’s alleged refusal of extended agreements with the veteran esports organization.
Since originally joining the squad as a backup player in 2018, Bwipo has consistently ranked among Europe’s elite top lane competitors. His individual performance frequently serves as a crucial determinant for the team’s overall success, creating a symbiotic relationship between his gameplay and Selfmade’s jungle presence. Both competitors maintain active contracts through November 2021, though Bwipo emerged as the initial party to publicly acknowledge the swirling contractual rumors.
“Not extending contract?” inquired a viewer participating in Bwipo’s live chat session.
“No I’m not,” the European professional promptly clarified during the interactive broadcast.
When pressed for elaboration regarding his contractual stance, Bwipo elaborated that, “I just didn’t think I performed very well and I don’t want to be on a team like Fnatic if I didn’t perform well.” This candid admission highlights the intense self-assessment professional gamers undergo when evaluating their competitive futures.
What will Bwipo do after leaving Fnatic?
Bwipo further disclosed possessing “other options maybe lined up,” triggering immediate fan conjecture about potential broadcast roles. Following Fnatic’s elimination from the LEC Spring playoffs earlier this competitive split, the top laner contributed to the official analyst desk coverage for the concluding matchups. His commentary debut received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the viewing audience.
Despite validating his rejection of recent negotiation attempts, the two-time LEC title holder tempered expectations about an imminent departure by stating that “I want to keep my cards open,” potentially indicating his decision-making process remains fluid rather than finalized.
Professional gamers transitioning from competitive play frequently explore multiple career avenues. Broadcasting represents just one potential path, with coaching, content creation, and organizational roles offering additional opportunities. The timing of such transitions often correlates with contractual expirations and personal performance evaluations, creating complex decision matrices for elite competitors.
Should Bwipo ultimately exit the organization, support specialist Zdravets “Hylissang” Iliev Galabov would become the sole remaining competitor from their most recent LEC championship lineup in 2018. That memorable season witnessed the squad advancing to the World Championship grand finals in Incheon, marking one of European League of Legends’ most celebrated competitive achievements.
Roster evolution represents an inevitable aspect of professional esports, with organizations continuously balancing veteran experience against emerging talent. The departure of established players often creates opportunities for new competitors while testing an organization’s strategic planning capabilities during transitional periods.
Action Checklist
- Evaluate current contract status and performance metrics before making transition decisions
- Research potential career paths including broadcasting, coaching, or content creation
- Develop transferable skills through analyst desk appearances or streaming content
- Network within the esports industry to explore opportunities beyond competitive play
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