C9’s Licorice blames himself for bad relationship with Sneaky

The North American League Championship Series offseason has been marked by significant roster movements, with teams aggressively pursuing trades and signings to strengthen their competitive positions. The player market remains highly active as organizations position themselves for the upcoming competitive season.

One development that sent shockwaves through the League of Legends community involved veteran AD carry Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi potentially departing from Cloud9 after his remarkable six-year tenure with the organization. The popular content creator and professional player revealed during a live stream that certain teammates expressed reluctance to continue competing alongside him, with many community members speculating that top laner Eric “Licorice” Ritchie was the individual referenced in these comments.

Licorice became aware of the growing online discussion surrounding these allegations and chose to address the situation directly through his own streaming platform.

“The current situation unfolding is genuinely disappointing,” Licorice shared with his audience. “I truly wish circumstances had developed differently. The atmosphere has become uncomfortable for everyone involved in the organization.

Licorice elaborated that Cloud9 struggled with persistent internal challenges throughout the previous competitive season, particularly concerning communication protocols and performance evaluation methods. He indicated the team frequently avoided discussing individual improvement needs, opting instead for generalized team-focused conversations that failed to address specific player issues.

“I recognized the necessity for substantive changes heading into next season,” the top laner explained. “I understood this might involve roster adjustments, including potentially my own departure from the team. While not my preferred outcome, I had mentally prepared for this possibility.

The professional player then transitioned to addressing viewer questions and concerns circulating on social media platforms.

Many community members expressed confusion regarding Cloud9’s official silence concerning Sneaky’s public statements. Licorice suggested the organization should have provided clearer communication to fans regarding Sneaky’s ongoing decision-making process to enhance organizational transparency. This represented information players themselves awaited, as they felt unable to comment publicly before official announcements.

Licorice acknowledged his personal contribution to the escalating situation. When directly questioned about his current relationship with Sneaky, he candidly admitted the situation had deteriorated significantly.

“I failed to initiate communication with him during the critical period when these issues emerged,” Licorice confessed. “The current circumstances make outreach extremely awkward for both parties. This communication breakdown primarily reflects my failure to engage in difficult conversations. While challenging, I recognize this was my responsibility to address proactively.

Understanding team dynamics is crucial for competitive success in esports. Many organizations struggle with similar communication challenges during roster transitions, particularly when longstanding players face potential departure. Effective team coordination requires open dialogue and mutual respect among all members.

Professional esports teams often implement structured communication protocols to prevent such breakdowns. Regular team meetings, individual feedback sessions, and clear escalation paths help maintain healthy professional relationships even during difficult organizational changes.

Several hours following Licorice’s streaming session, Cloud9 owner Jack Etienne issued an official statement addressing Sneaky’s uncertain competitive future, though this clarification still left numerous questions unanswered for the community.

“We have deliberately withheld official announcement of Sneaky’s competitive plans at his specific request while he evaluates his professional options,” Etienne stated.

Despite acknowledging Sneaky’s preference for privacy, Etienne proceeded to outline the various scenarios the veteran player was considering. These included continuing his professional career with Cloud9, pursuing transfer opportunities to organizations of his choosing “with compensation matching his expectations,” retiring from competitive play while maintaining affiliation with Cloud9, or complete retirement from professional gaming.

Etienne further clarified that remaining with Cloud9 would necessitate “competing for his starting position” on the roster. The organization’s owner emphasized this competitive requirement applies universally to all players in similar circumstances.

“I intended to respect his privacy preferences, but given the community reaction, I believe greater transparency is currently warranted. Please maintain respect for all Cloud9 members during this transitional period,” Etienne explained regarding his decision to publicly disclose these considerations.

The community response appeared largely appreciative of this increased transparency, with many fans thanking Etienne for providing additional context. However, numerous dedicated Cloud9 supporters expressed significant disappointment regarding the potential departure of the longtime roster member.

For players considering their competitive future, understanding strategic planning becomes essential when evaluating multiple career options. Each path presents distinct challenges and opportunities that require careful consideration.

Continuing with Cloud9 would involve intense competition for the starting AD carry position, requiring demonstrated performance superiority over potential replacements. Trade scenarios necessitate identifying organizations with both roster needs and financial capacity to meet compensation expectations.

Retirement options present their own complexities, particularly regarding potential ongoing involvement with the organization versus complete departure from professional gaming. These decisions impact not only competitive careers but also content creation opportunities and brand partnerships.

This situation highlights several common challenges in professional esports organization management. Team dynamics during roster transitions often create tension between established players and newer members seeking to establish their roles.

Effective communication protocols represent a critical component of successful team management. Organizations that establish clear feedback mechanisms and conflict resolution processes typically navigate these transitions more effectively.

Professional players facing similar situations should consider comprehensive performance evaluation to make informed career decisions. Understanding one’s market value, competitive capabilities, and long-term career goals enables better decision-making during uncertain periods.

The balance between organizational transparency and player privacy remains a complex issue in modern esports. While fans appreciate openness, players deserve respect for their personal decision-making processes.

Common mistakes during such transitions include delayed communication, unclear performance expectations, and failure to establish mediation processes. Organizations can optimize these situations by implementing structured communication plans, providing career transition support, and maintaining clear organizational values throughout the process.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » C9’s Licorice blames himself for bad relationship with Sneaky Analyzing Cloud9's roster drama and Sneaky's uncertain LCS future with professional insights