Breaking: Sentinels Complete Purchase of Ngo’s Contract from Cloud9 – The Esports Observer

The Esports Observer has learned that the player transfer agreement of Tyson “TenZ” Ngo from Cloud9 to Sentinels was signed in April that allowed an option for Sentinels to purchase Ngo’s contract, which has now been completed. Sources have told TEO that the transaction was a “seven-figure” deal.

Ngo, who was signed to Cloud9 Blue’s Valorant roster in April 2020, has been playing with Sentinels since March as a “loaned player” from Cloud9. The loan came about due to the investigation and subsequent suspension of former Overwatch League MVP turned Sentinel Valorant pro, Jay “sinatraa” Won, after allegations of misconduct were leveled by Won’s former girlfriend.

Won was suspended by Riot Games for six months after failing to cooperate with the investigation.

Interestingly enough, the loaning of Ngo to Sentinels happened at a time where the two teams were both trying to qualify for the Valorant Champions Tour. Cloud9 and Sentinels played against each other in the winner’s semifinals, with Sentinels and Ngo on loan, beating his former team 2-1. That was the last match in which Sentinels dropped a map.

Ngo and his Sentinels team won the Valorant Champions Tour 2021: Stage 2 Masters in Reykjavík, Iceland on Sunday, going 4-0 in the tournament without dropping a single map. For his work in the finals, Ngo was given the Day 7 MVP award for the event.

There has been speculation that the deal has been in the works for months and was already completed before Ngo’s participation in Reykjavík. This has turned out to be true.

However, a portion of the esports community had been critical of Cloud9 because they wanted to see Ngo let out from his current contract to sign with Sentinels. Especially after winning VCT. However, the deal had already been signed.

Former Cloud9 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Sean “sgares” Gares weighed in saying,, “He’s [Ngo] in F***ing contract jail, it’s not funny.” Gares was in a similar situation as Ngo and was let out of his contract with Cloud9 before the expiration after stating he wanted to take time off and think about possibly coaching. Cloud9 granted that release. Gares then signed with Echo Fox just over a month later and continued to compete.

While the general criticism Cloud9 is currently facing concerning this transfer, the organization has often acquiesced to the desires of players who want to retire, be traded, or simply be released–sometimes to the organization’s detriment.

Some examples of this include Jacky ‘Jake’ “Stewie2K” Yip being granted a trade to Made in Brazil; Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen, former Cloud9’ LCS mid-laner, granted his release to go to Team Liquid; and Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen being let out of his contract to go toEvil Geniuses after telling Cloud9 that he was unhappy with his playing time situation. Also, Ryan “⁠freakazoid⁠” Abadir was released, per his request, asking the organization to allow him to step down.

The list continues with players being transferred to teams of their choosing such as Timothy “autimatic” Ta and Damian “daps” Steele going to Gen.G, and Rocket League player Mariano “SquishyMuffinz” Arruda who was released to his team of choice, NRG.

The Esports Observer has reached out to Cloud9 and Sentinels for further comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.