Esports organization OG recently found itself embroiled in a controversy that led to the termination of one of its players, DM. The root cause of this conflict stems from allegations that DM had breached his contract by coaching another team, 9Pandas, without obtaining the required permission.

OG Dropped DM For Breaching Dota 2 Contract

OG, a renowned name in the Dota 2 competitive scene, had a challenging year marked by multiple roster changes and an unexpected absence from The International, a tournament they had consistently dominated since their formation in 2015. As they initiated a rebuilding phase with the release of several players, this situation added another twist to their tumultuous journey.

The story unfolds as OG officially announced the termination of DM's contract on October 12. Shortly thereafter, 9Pandas confirmed DM as their coach for The International 2023. This confirmation hinted at behind-the-scenes developments that had yet to surface.

During DreamLeague Season 21, held from September 18 to 24, keen-eyed viewers noticed DM sitting behind 9Pandas' players during their matches. This raised eyebrows, as DM had only recently been relegated to OG's inactive roster after the team failed to secure a spot at TI 2023. OG had brought in MinD_ContRoL as a stand-in for the tournament.

Despite these observations, 9Pandas initially denied DM's coaching role, with RAMZES stating that they had no coach and that DM was merely a friend. Skepticism prevailed, especially since DM was present during several of 9Pandas' matches, even competing against his former team. Notably, insiders like Vladimir "Maelstorm" Kuzminov shed light on DM's coaching role, suggesting that he had been coaching 9Pandas for an extended period.

As the controversy escalated, it was revealed that OG had filed a dispute with ESL regarding the personnel allowed behind teams during drafts at DreamLeague Season 21. This dispute led to a verbal confrontation between OG and 9Pandas regarding the situation.

Amidst conflicting claims, 9Pandas asserted that they had reached out to OG regarding DM's coaching position but received no permission and did not compensate OG while DM was still under contract. In contrast, OG reportedly denied these allegations.

The situation reached a tipping point when OG decided to "cancel" DM's contract as the team moved forward with their roster changes in October. It remains unclear whether DM's actions constituted a breach of his contract or if 9Pandas' claims of this being a legitimate transfer hold true.

Also read: The International 2023: All Qualified Teams For Main Event

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for OG declined to comment on the matter, leaving fans and the esports community curious about the exact nature of the dispute.