The Guard’s players are now free agents and have been given the chance to find an organization to represent in the VCT for 2024.
It's widely known that The Guard failed to meet that deadline that allows them into the VCT for 2024. This led to community backlash at Riot, which is the equivalent to massive support for the players. And it appears their voices were heard.
Riot Games has announced that The Guard players are free agents. They are able to go their separate ways and find teams in the VCT, or they can stay together and join an org that Riot deems suitable to retain their VCT slot earned through Ascension.
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The Guard players may still find their way into the VCT for 2024
The entire situation began with Riot Games revealing The Guard did not meet their deadline. This removed them from their VCT inclusion. Global Head of VALORANT Esports Leo Faria defended the company's decision.
All of the initial outrage saw Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag come out in support of The Guard's player and even a petition with thousands of signatures. That support is what made Leo Faria and Riot Games indicate their attempt at finding a positive solution.
Now, Riot Games has found that solution. The makers of VALORANT say The Guard released the players and they are now free agents. This means they can all find a team to play on for the upcoming season, or they can band together to find an org Riot accepts into the VCT program.
If the latter takes place, The Guard's former players will retain their Ascension status and become the 11th team of VCT Americas in 2024. That is more than likely the end goal for the bunch and is what the community has wanted to see ever since the original news.
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