Evil Geniuses reported to sign Jiizuke after Chovy declines

Following unsuccessful negotiations with elite Korean mid laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, North American organization Evil Geniuses has shifted focus to European talent Daniele “Jiizuke” di Mauro from Team Vitality. This strategic pivot represents EG’s adaptation to the competitive League of Legends free agent market where top-tier players command significant attention.

Initially, Evil Geniuses explored international options for their top lane position, specifically courting SK Telecom T1’s renowned player Kim “Khan” Dong-ha. However, the Korean standout ultimately committed to China’s FunPlus Phoenix, the reigning World Championship titleholders, demonstrating the global nature of elite player recruitment.

The returning LCS franchise subsequently evaluated domestic mid lane alternatives, considering established North American competitors Tanner “Damonte” Damonte and veteran player Eugene “Pobelter” Park. Park had recently expressed public frustration about missing LCS opportunities, highlighting the emotional dimension of professional roster decisions.

Evil Geniuses secured their League Championship Series position through purchasing Echo Fox’s slot earlier this year when financial instability forced that organization to completely exit the competitive scene. While fans welcomed EG’s return to professional League of Legends, concerns emerged about their initial lack of signed players entering the league.

During the early offseason period, the organization executed a substantial multi-million dollar transaction with Cloud9, acquiring four core players: jungler Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen, support specialist Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam, top laner Colin “Kumo” Zhao, and ADC Matthew “Deftly” Chen. They further strengthened their roster by obtaining veteran marksman Bae “Bang” Jun-sik from 100 Thieves. Jiizuke’s addition would finalize their competitive lineup for the 2020 LCS season, creating a balanced international roster composition.

Chovy turns down Evil Geniuses to play for DragonX

When Griffin’s complete player roster entered free agency following contract termination due to unfair agreement issues, Chovy emerged as the most sought-after free agent in the entire League of Legends professional scene. According to ESPN reporting, the exceptionally skilled player has decided to join former teammate Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon on South Korea’s DragonX organization, maintaining his LCK competitive presence.

Despite Evil Geniuses maintaining official silence regarding the negotiation outcome, insider sources revealed the North American team presented the 18-year-old mid lane prodigy with a multi-million dollar contract proposal. Surprisingly, the substantial financial package failed to secure Chovy’s commitment, as he selected a comparatively reduced offer to continue playing under former Griffin coach Kim “cvMax” Dae-ho while remaining in his native South Korea. This calculated decision further complicates public perception regarding allegations about cvMax’s reportedly abusive coaching methods, suggesting player loyalty may outweigh external accusations.

The contrasting roster-building approaches between Evil Geniuses and DragonX highlight different organizational philosophies in professional esports. EG pursued an aggressive international recruitment strategy, while DragonX capitalized on existing player-coach relationships and regional preferences.

For teams building competitive rosters, understanding player motivations beyond financial compensation proves crucial. Factors like coaching relationships, cultural comfort, and competitive environment often outweigh pure monetary considerations, especially for established elite players like Chovy who value long-term career development over immediate financial gain.

This situation demonstrates how effective team composition extends beyond individual skill to include interpersonal dynamics and organizational culture fit. The decision-making process for professional players involves complex weighing of multiple variables beyond contract value.

Organizations seeking to build championship-caliber teams should consider implementing comprehensive recruitment strategies that address both competitive and personal considerations for potential signings.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Evil Geniuses reported to sign Jiizuke after Chovy declines Chovy rejects multi-million dollar EG offer to reunite with former coach cvMax on DragonX roster