Betting on the Wrong Horse: Condi Suspended for Match-Fixing
Condi Suspended – The Dragon Falls
Famed LGD, and former WE, jungler Condi has been suspended from competitive League play after becoming involved with a match-fixing scandal in the LPL.
The former 2017 Spring Split MVP was suspended for 18 months after coming forward to reveal LGD manager Song “Hesitate” Zi-Yang had been attempting to blackmail him into fixing matches. While Condi “firmly rejected them and reported [the attempted match-fixing] to the club”, he did participate in betting on one of his team’s matches, another serious offense. Hesitate was banned for life following the accusations.
Upon receiving the news of Condi’s suspension from the league, LGD quickly terminated their contract with the star jungler, as he wouldn’t see any play till the 2021 season at the earliest. China has had a long history of match-fixing and insider-betting, both in and out of League of Legends, so seeing teams and the LPL react so severely could indicate a growing desire to bring more legitimacy to the region as a whole.
What Does the Future Hold?
While the suspension itself isn’t permanent for him, it will likely mark the end of Condi’s time as a pro player, at least in China.
Both betting on and fixing matches are highly unethical in esports, and while Condi denies ever participating in the latter, teams are unlikely to take a risk on someone with such stains on their resume.
What’s more, it’s going to be a year and a half until he’s eligible to play again, and that can have serious implications for his skill. Unable to practice in a competitive environment, teams will have to worry about what form Condi will be in upon his return and if, like many pros who return from an extended absence, his skills will be markedly worse. Coupled with China’s massive population of rising new talent, it’s unlikely teams will want to take the risk, at least in China. His prospects in other regions don’t look hot either.
Where Does Condi Go From Here?
Chinese players have historically struggled to find places on teams in other regions. With difficulties in transferring their income back to China, obtaining long-term work visas, and language barriers, most end up staying in the Chinese scene in the lower league or as a coach. Teams will also be hesitant to risk signing Chinese players with these issues, especially those who have already been caught up in controversy.
The few players Chinese players who do leave often end up in one of two places: Korea (the LCK) or Taiwan (the LMS). While it’s unlikely a Korean team will want to pick up Condi, especially with such strong jungle talent in the region, there is a chance an LMS team may pick him up.
After Flash Wolves lost most of their long-time dominating roster last year, the region has become a coin toss of who will win. A team there may be willing to risk a chance on him to finally take the crown from the Flash Wolves.
Only time will tell though whether this is the end or a new beginning for Condi.
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