by Sentinels have announced that they will be departing the competitive Fortnite scene with the move set to leave one of the game’s top players, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, without a team.
It is rare to see an esports franchise willingly part ways with a top player in a popular title, but this is the current state of the industry. The esports industry has proven over time to be a volatile one, and teams sometimes have to make tough decisions, such as letting go of a world champion, as was the case with Sentinels and their Fortnite player, Bugha.
Rob Moore, the Chief Executive Officer of Sentinels said they will no longer be participating in competitive Fortnite. He also stated that none of their Fortnite players, including Nick “Aspect” McGuire, Brian “Zyfa” Wielgolaski and Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, the 2019 Fortnite World Cup solos champion, will be re-signed for the 2023 season.
According to CEO Moore, the reason for the team’s decision to part ways with Bugha and the Fortnite scene is due to the lack of opportunities for sponsorships and branded in-game content.
In neither the game itself nor at Epic-hosted LAN events does Fortnite offer the opportunity for Sentinels jerseys and apparel to display team sponsors to cameras and crowds. In addition, since the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, Epic Games has not announced plans for any future LAN events which hinders the franchise’s ability to showcase their team sponsors to its audience.
In 2023, Bugha will be a free agent, three years after winning $3 million for his first-place finish at the World Cup and becoming the first marquee name to compete under the Sentinels brand.
To honor the 19-year and thank him for his contribution to the franchise, the CEO made a farewell post on his Twitter page with a link to a dedicated video clip posted on YouTube.
While the Sentinels make an exit away from Fortnite, they have competitive teams in Halo, Apex Legends and Valorant.
These three esports titles have official esports tournaments that are either run by the developers or publishers, or in partnership with them. In addition, both Halo and Apex Legends have included content in their games that represents participating esports teams.
Due to the current state of the esports industry, with a lack of outside investment causing many teams to focus on games that offer support and revenue opportunities, the decision to cut the Fortnite team is not surprising.
While Fortnite remains a popular game with a strong player base, it may not offer as many monetization opportunities compared to other titles. However, it should be noted that Fortnite has been able to thrive through its collaborations and events, suggesting that it may not necessarily need support.
With Sentinels officially withdrawn from Fortnite, it is possible others may follow suit in the future. However for teams looking to make a splash in the Fortnite scene, there is currently a great opportunity to recruit some well-known players.
