This weekend, the GSTL match between SlayerS and our partners MYM.MVP is sure to be exciting yet somber, as it will be SlayerS’ final team game before disbanding completely.

SlayerS, founded by Brood War legend  Lim “BoxeR” Yo Hwan, are separating as a result of a number of factors, primarily disagreements between the team and the e-Sports Federation (eSF) and conflicts between team members.

According to a lengthy explanation by team manager Kim “Jessica” Ga Yeon, major difficulties within the team began when the North American Star League (NASL) invited Korean players to participate, but would not provide flights and other accommodations. This resulted in Korean eSports organization SC2CON hinting at a boycott of the NASL, but with preparations already complete SlayerS was unable to back out. Other eSF teams also chose to compete.

SC2CON put in place a stronger boycott for Season 2, and this time SlayerS obliged. However, after the boycott didn’t change anything regarding Korean players, SlayerS decided to participate in NASL Season 3. This angered the eSF to the point that, allegedly, eSF players were told to blacklist SlayerS players, not talking or practicing with them.

Jessica’s post went on to describe how the ban was lifted in word after a short period of time, but other players were still blacklisting them, and how this helped to create an aggravating environment for SlayerS’ players. Added to the team’s grievances were an assortment of issues, such as a deceitful manager, complaints by their star  Mun “MMA” Seung Won that spread to other players, and even friction between management and players that culminated in MMA and  Choi “Crank” Jae Won lashing out at BoxeR, despite his near-complete financial backing of the team. The lack of respect eventually caused BoxeR to leave SlayerS to coach SK Telecom T1.

This was all according to Jessica’s open letter. Since the explanation made stiff accusations against SC2CON and the eSF, which includes it, the eSF addressed the blacklisting issue. In their comparatively brief response, the eSF admitted that there was indeed a blacklisting period, but it was brief and the organization had done everything it could to foster positive relations with SlayerS outside that period of time.

Links to translations of both the posts from Jessica and the eSF can be found at the bottom of this article, along with an additional response from Jessica as well as the voices of other people involved.

Fans of SlayerS are demonstrably upset about saying goodbye to their team and the conditions under which the team fell apart. The comments sections of various websites announcing the separation are filled with posts of disappointment and surprise.

It is under these conditions that SlayerS will play its final match this Saturday, and against a fierce opponent. Currently, user polls show a solid 73.5% of viewers predicting a MYM.MVP victory over team SlayerS. The disbanding team is also playing in a weakened state having lost a handful of players recently, with three players having left the game entirely in favor of League of Legends on top of those lost in the aforementioned drama.

But regardless of circumstances, this upcoming match is not to be missed. The powerful team MYM.MVP, sporting such strong players as  Hwang “Keen” Kyu Seok and  Park “DongRaeGu” Soo Ho, are sure to provide a spectacle for their fans. But even for them, seeing SlayerS off will be an honor, having been home to such powerhouses as MMA and especially its founder, the legendary BoxeR himself.

The match will begin at 2:10 p.m. KST and can be viewed at www.gomtv.net. 

Statements made by Jessica, the eSF and others: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=376041