Doublelift on retirement: “Andy didn’t let me play”

The unexpected departure of Peng “Doublelift” Yilang from professional League of Legends sent shockwaves through the esports community, particularly given his status as one of North America’s most accomplished AD carry players. His retirement announcement caught many off guard, as he had maintained consistently strong performance levels throughout his extensive career.

Prior discussions about potential retirement centered around roster construction challenges, specifically TSM’s ability to secure international talent. The SwordArt acquisition became a pivotal point in the narrative, with Doublelift asserting that management decisions directly influenced his career trajectory.

Why did Doublelift retire from TSM?

During a candid streaming session, Doublelift revealed previously undisclosed details about his offseason experience, presenting substantial criticisms of TSM’s organizational conduct. He explicitly stated that the choice to end his competitive career was imposed rather than voluntary, attributing his exit to what he characterized as problematic management decisions during the critical roster-building period.

According to his account, retirement became his only option after receiving confirmation that TSM couldn’t finalize the SwordArt signing. However, the situation evolved when SwordArt personally requested to compete alongside Doublelift upon arriving in North America. Doublelift maintains that Andy Dinh actively prevented this partnership from materializing.

Andy Dinh responds to Doublelift forced retirement claims

In response to the allegations, Andy Dinh published a comprehensive statement on TSM’s official subreddit, presenting the organization’s perspective. Dinh emphasized that Doublelift’s fluctuating retirement intentions created significant frustration among coaching staff and support personnel.

Dinh’s version indicates that Doublelift initially expressed willingness to compete with Korean support players. When SwordArt negotiations encountered obstacles, however, Dinh claims Yilang reversed his position and declined to play with non-English speaking teammates.

“The entire situation has been disappointing, as I believed we had concluded our professional relationship with Peter last year,” Dinh wrote. “I didn’t anticipate that choosing not to work with him this season would lead to public statements and critical commentary during streams.”

Dinh further stated there was “no justification” for Doublelift to publicly criticize TSM.

Is Doublelift on TSM?

The TSM founder delivered pointed criticism of Doublelift, indicating that teammates and coaching staff found collaboration challenging. Reports suggest Doublelift was evaluating opportunities in both competitive play and content creation, while TSM demonstrated reluctance to continue their professional association.

Dinh concluded by announcing TSM’s intention to formally sever ties with the retired marksman following the public dispute. The conflict intensified rapidly, marking what appears to be an acrimonious conclusion to one of the LCS’s most historically significant player-organization partnerships.

Historical Context: This separation represents a landmark moment in League of Legends esports, highlighting the complex relationships between star players and the organizations they represent. The public nature of the disagreement underscores broader issues in professional gaming regarding communication, contract negotiations, and career transitions.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Doublelift on retirement: “Andy didn’t let me play” Analyzing the controversial departure of Doublelift from TSM and the conflicting retirement narratives from both perspectives