G2 Esports has parted ways with in-game leader Jacob "valyn" Batio as it rebuilds for the 2027-28 partnership cycle, according to a G2 confirmation reported by Esports.net.
valyn joined G2 on September 22, 2023, when the club took over The Guard's lineup of neT, valyn, trent and JonahP, with JoshRT as coach. The source reports that the roster moved because The Guard did not sign the Team Partnership Agreement. G2 won VCT Americas titles during his time there. The closest the team came to an international trophy was Masters Bangkok 2025, where it lost the final to T1 by 2-3.
valyn was named VCT Americas Controller of the Year in two straight seasons and IGL of the Year in 2024. He was Grand Finals MVP of Stage 2 in 2025. In a farewell video, he said his only regret was that the group never reached "the highest of highs" together.
Sheep Esports had reported a verbal agreement between valyn and LYON, contingent on the organization earning a VCT Americas partner slot. That condition was not met, and LYON has since left VALORANT esports, the source says.
Fnatic announced on October 18 that it will remain a VCT partner. The source reports that its rebuild keeps kaajak and Cloud and adds Gentle Mates duelist marteen. Fnatic has not said who will take each role. Insider Gaming reported that Cloud is expected to leave in-game leading to valyn, though the source does not confirm that move.
G2 is set to replace valyn with Sato, and kiNgg will take over shotcalling from babybay, who is looking at options in VCT China.
Riot's partner list for 2027-28 includes G2 Esports among the eight VCT Americas teams and Fnatic among the eight VCT EMEA teams.