DRX coach cvMax to receive final verdict from court in February

Former Griffin head coach Kim “cvMax” Dae-ho has entered a formal not guilty plea regarding accusations of player mistreatment during his tenure. The case represents one of the most significant coach-player relationship disputes in recent esports history.

Professional League of Legends competitors Choi “Sword” Sun-won and Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong claimed cvMax subjected them to verbal harassment, physically grabbed their uniform collars, and threw objects in fits of rage. These allegations prompted Riot Games Korea to issue a two-year competitive ban, though the penalty was later withdrawn due to substantial community opposition and procedural concerns.

Sword escalated the matter by filing an official police complaint against cvMax, initiating a legal process that has progressed through five separate court hearings. Throughout these proceedings, cvMax has consistently maintained his complete innocence. His legal representative has formally requested the Korean Esports Fair Commission revoke its separate five-month suspension while litigation continues.

“With the judicial process still active, we fail to comprehend the Commission’s urgency in imposing penalties before establishing factual guilt,” stated attorney Lim Sang-hyeok during recent court appearances.

Following the conclusion of five evidentiary hearings, the court has scheduled the final judgment announcement for February. Notably, the Fair Esports Commission has declared that the court’s decision will not influence their independently imposed five-month competitive restriction.

Inven Global secured comprehensive courtroom transcripts revealing detailed legal strategies from both sides. cvMax’s defense team highlighted the competitive success achieved under his coaching methodology, while prosecutors focused on determining whether his aggressive feedback techniques crossed into physical misconduct territory.

Legal representatives for the prosecution questioned whether cvMax’s coaching approach involved physically shaking players or striking their gaming chairs during instructional sessions. This line of inquiry aimed to establish patterns of behavior that might constitute assault under Korean law.

The defense’s concluding arguments emphasized that Sword maintained a cordial relationship with cvMax despite the abuse claims. Evidence presented included documentation of a September 9 telephone conversation between coach and player occurring just two months prior to legal action being initiated.

Attorney Sang-hyeok pointed to Sword’s continued acceptance of coaching feedback without contemporaneous objections as evidence that the methods weren’t perceived as inappropriate at the time they were delivered.

Sang-hyeok contended that Sword only pursued legal action due to pressure from director Cho Gyu-nam. Following negative fan reactions to the initial allegations, the defense claims the director collaborated with players to fabricate claims and engineer confrontations with cvMax.

“The defendant’s coaching techniques remained within acceptable professional parameters. This is substantiated by his consistently positive relationships with all team members, including the alleged victim,” Sang-hyeok concluded in his final statement to the court.

Coach cvMax argues against Griffin accusations

cvMax exercised his right to deliver a personal statement during the final hearing, expressing genuine care for his players throughout his two-year coaching stint with Griffin. He characterized the entire situation as regrettable, attributing the conflict to what he described as systematic manipulation by the team director.

“My communication abilities and interpersonal skills have consistently proven effective in achieving competitive excellence. However, having my coaching feedback characterized as assault deeply wounds my professional pride. Regardless, I acknowledge there may be areas for personal improvement and will refine my instructional methods accordingly,” cvMax stated emotionally.

cvMax and his current organization DRX continue legal challenges against the Fair Esports Commission’s five-month competitive prohibition, regardless of the impending court decision.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » DRX coach cvMax to receive final verdict from court in February Former Griffin coach cvMax maintains innocence in player abuse case with February verdict pending