New details about EG Danny paint org as incompetent

Recent investigative reports have uncovered disturbing new information about Kyle “Danny” Sakamaki’s abrupt exit from Evil Geniuses’ LCS lineup. The emerging evidence portrays an organization whose actions range from gross incompetence to willful disregard for player welfare.

This week marked a turning point in understanding the situation. Veteran esports journalist Richard Lewis published findings from sources within Evil Geniuses that illuminated the circumstances leading to Danny’s departure from professional competition. Lewis documented that Danny’s psychological well-being had been declining since the Mid-Season Invitational in 2022. The young star’s sudden exit during LCS playoffs represented a culmination of mounting pressures.

Lewis’s investigation noted that Danny, who identifies as being on the autism spectrum, received progressively diminishing support throughout competitive splits. This occurred despite explicit organizational commitments to provide ongoing assistance. Independent journalist Arsh Goyal has since released a comprehensive chronological account of events surrounding Danny’s exit from EG. This timeline suggests executive-level mismanagement of extraordinary proportions.

Report lays out full EG Danny timeline

Goyal’s extensive report, available on Medium, synthesizes information from multiple sources connected to EG’s 2022 LCS team. It provides a thorough examination of what transpired with the organization’s standout Attack Damage Carry. According to the findings, concerns about Danny’s mental stability within high-pressure competitive settings emerged early among team members. Veteran top laner Eonyoung “Impact” Jeong was particularly attentive to these emerging issues.

During the MSI competition that year, organizational failures became apparent. Danny was dispatched to South Korea without accompaniment from any EG performance staff members to assist with his transition. This lack of support coincided with the beginning of Danny’s psychological decline. The situation progressively deteriorated moving into Summer Split and its playoff matches.

Goyal’s account presents some variations from Lewis’s reporting. He indicates EG management only became aware of Danny’s intention to leave during Summer Split playoffs. Head coach Earl “Rigby” Han advocated for accepting Danny’s resignation. He proposed implementing roster adjustments to compensate.

This recommendation faced opposition from senior leadership. CEO Andrew Barton, General Manager, and Performance Director Lindsey “Gamerdoc” Migliore reportedly resisted the coaching staff’s position.

Performance specialists Connor “Artemis” Doyle and Dr. Jordan “Dr. Respawn” Tsai aligned with Rigby’s position regarding Danny’s departure. Both investigative reports concur that denying Danny’s immediate exit stemmed from worries about team valuation. Concerns about the player’s “brand value” reportedly influenced this decision.

Every source consulted by Goyal confirms that following the loss to TSM in playoffs, Danny was psychologically unprepared to continue competing. Despite this clear state, organizational leadership insisted on fielding him against Team Liquid.

This determination originated primarily from executive levels. Goyal’s reporting states: “Every single coach, player, and member of support staff — to the knowledge of my sources — was extremely concerned for Danny’s health, and insisted that he receive the break he’d clearly needed for months.”

Subsequent developments reveal further organizational dysfunction. EG staff member Peter Dun received approaches from executive leadership. They sought to leverage his friendship with the young competitor to persuade Danny to complete the playoffs.

Dun categorically refused to exploit his personal relationship. He declined to pressure the ADC into actions contradicting his expressed desires. This executive request significantly contributed to Dun’s subsequent departure from EG during the 2023 offseason.

Goyal further documents that when Danny eventually received permission to depart and return home, he exhibited significant weight loss. He experienced multiple health complications related to nutritional deficiencies previously reported by Lewis.

Medical professionals familiar with the situation considered these conditions sufficiently serious to warrant hospital admission. Additional details within the report depict Evil Geniuses as an increasingly dysfunctional environment. This was particularly problematic for vulnerable emerging talent like Danny.

Goyal cites direct quotations from 2022 EG personnel. They allegedly stated: “it’s f—— annoying that Danny is ruining everything” and “Danny is f——- r——-, what the f— was I supposed to do?” These comments reportedly occurred in professional settings with other staff members present.

Although Danny recently utilized Twitter to alleviate fan concerns, Goyal indicates pre-existing arrangements were already in place. Danny had committed to continuing with Evil Geniuses as a content producer and streamer for approximately one month. Goyal further asserts that Danny did not compose the social media statement independently. Instead, organizational pressure prompted the publication as damage control for public perception.

EG Danny controversy proves esports pros deserve better

With both investigative accounts confirming parallel event sequences, Danny’s exit appears symptomatic of persistent toxic corporate culture within competitive gaming.

Danny represented emerging North American talent navigating the demands of esports celebrity and public scrutiny. Evil Geniuses has positioned itself as supportive of developing regional players. However, C-suite executives reportedly demonstrated greater concern for monetary brand valuation than player health.

Should the events described in both reports prove accurate, EG’s failure constitutes profoundly irresponsible decision-making. Leadership consciously prioritized financial interests and public image over the wellbeing of a young competitor under their supervision.

The documented mishandling and neglect reached such severity that healthcare professionals advised inpatient treatment for the young star upon his homecoming. Competitive gaming organizations bear responsibility for addressing both psychological and physical player health. EG seemingly elevated corporate financial considerations above the welfare of an athlete they had pledged to support.

This situation simultaneously demonstrates the limited labor protections available to LCS competitors. It reveals how infrequently mental health receives appropriate prioritization.

Organizations can inadequately support players to the extent of nutritional deficiency. They may simultaneously attempt to persuade those same individuals to compete contrary to their stated intentions to withdraw.

While the LCS Players Association exists as an entity, its practical impact remains limited. The association has effected minimal substantive change within the LCS ecosystem to safeguard the competitors it represents.

Danny merited substantially superior treatment throughout his LCS tenure. He probably doesn’t represent an isolated case within the industry.

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