1/30
Yearly open letter to @sammathews about Fnatic League of Legends situation, 2025 edition
Fnatic repeated the same mistakes I've been describing in my previous threads. We need TRANSPARENCY, not empty promises. Fans, feel free to share your thoughts as well.
🧵⤵️
Yearly open letter to @sammathews about Fnatic League of Legends situation, 2025 edition
Fnatic repeated the same mistakes I've been describing in my previous threads. We need TRANSPARENCY, not empty promises. Fans, feel free to share your thoughts as well.
🧵⤵️
https://twitter.com/sammathews/status/1979874977966117160
2/30
▶️ABOUT THE 2025 SEASON◀️
Fnatic completed their roster before they even knew who would be the coaches. Then, they slowly hired staff based on available budgets or mid-season emergencies. That's nonsense, and it's been holding FNC back for years now.
▶️ABOUT THE 2025 SEASON◀️
Fnatic completed their roster before they even knew who would be the coaches. Then, they slowly hired staff based on available budgets or mid-season emergencies. That's nonsense, and it's been holding FNC back for years now.
3/30
FNC claims they're here to 'win it all', but their actions tell a different story. Once again, they completed the coaching staff during Summer Split, at a point where all they can do is stabilize things enough to secure Worlds qualification, nothing more.
Sound familiar?
FNC claims they're here to 'win it all', but their actions tell a different story. Once again, they completed the coaching staff during Summer Split, at a point where all they can do is stabilize things enough to secure Worlds qualification, nothing more.
Sound familiar?
4/30
It took a top 4 finish in Spring to trigger changes. The Winter top 3 wasn't enough to spark action because, in reality, it aligns perfectly with Fnatic's TRUE ambitions. When will you admit what we already know?
It took a top 4 finish in Spring to trigger changes. The Winter top 3 wasn't enough to spark action because, in reality, it aligns perfectly with Fnatic's TRUE ambitions. When will you admit what we already know?
5/30
▶️ABOUT TRANSPARENCY & COMMUNICATION◀️
I'm calling for TRANSPARENCY again. In 2025, it's unthinkable to lie about your team's real objectives. Repeating that you're doing everything to win while all signs point to "managing a top 3" is driving fans away.
▶️ABOUT TRANSPARENCY & COMMUNICATION◀️
I'm calling for TRANSPARENCY again. In 2025, it's unthinkable to lie about your team's real objectives. Repeating that you're doing everything to win while all signs point to "managing a top 3" is driving fans away.
6/30
Fans are leaving League for Valorant, or worse, toward better managed orgs (G2) or teams with local identity (KC, MKOI). To add to that, in Winter 2025, Los Ratones will join the LEC. Do you realize you're hemorrhaging your community while doing nothing about it?
Fans are leaving League for Valorant, or worse, toward better managed orgs (G2) or teams with local identity (KC, MKOI). To add to that, in Winter 2025, Los Ratones will join the LEC. Do you realize you're hemorrhaging your community while doing nothing about it?
7/30
Transparency isn't just about ambitions, it's about structure. The org chart is completely unclear. Grabbz is Head Coach... but he also has to manage all fan communication? That's ridiculous. Not his job. Let him focus on solving the team issues!
Transparency isn't just about ambitions, it's about structure. The org chart is completely unclear. Grabbz is Head Coach... but he also has to manage all fan communication? That's ridiculous. Not his job. Let him focus on solving the team issues!
8/30
Obviously I'm always happy to read Grabbz, he's thoughtful and knowledgeable. He's brave enough to interact with us on behalf of FNC. But he cannot be the only one to communicate with the fans. He isn't the one who should be sorry for the project's failure.
Obviously I'm always happy to read Grabbz, he's thoughtful and knowledgeable. He's brave enough to interact with us on behalf of FNC. But he cannot be the only one to communicate with the fans. He isn't the one who should be sorry for the project's failure.
9/30
A Head Coach is responsible for executing a project. He's a technician. The person responsible for the viability of the project is the DIRECTOR. So where is this director? Who is that director? Do we even have one?
A Head Coach is responsible for executing a project. He's a technician. The person responsible for the viability of the project is the DIRECTOR. So where is this director? Who is that director? Do we even have one?
10/30
Since Dardo's departure (unless?), it's been foggy. Some say it's Grabbz. Others say Carn. Or a board. Or even Dardo who came back quietly. Do you realize how serious this lack of transparency is? We don't even know who's running the team anymore!
Since Dardo's departure (unless?), it's been foggy. Some say it's Grabbz. Others say Carn. Or a board. Or even Dardo who came back quietly. Do you realize how serious this lack of transparency is? We don't even know who's running the team anymore!
11/30
The situation with our director is so murky that those who believe it's still Dardo joke that it resembles rumors of Lord Voldemort's return. This is not just a funny joke, it's a management disaster that erodes all trust in the organization. It FEELS shady.
The situation with our director is so murky that those who believe it's still Dardo joke that it resembles rumors of Lord Voldemort's return. This is not just a funny joke, it's a management disaster that erodes all trust in the organization. It FEELS shady.
12/30
What will it take for Fnatic to understand that in 2025, what fans demand is sincere attachment? We want to be in the loop. We want to be PARTNERS of the club, not just customers. Don't you see this trend everywhere in every sport?
What will it take for Fnatic to understand that in 2025, what fans demand is sincere attachment? We want to be in the loop. We want to be PARTNERS of the club, not just customers. Don't you see this trend everywhere in every sport?
13/30
Teams that treat fans as partners succeed. Teams that treat them as cash cows die slowly. What will it take for Fnatic to stop treating us like ATMs? Stop being afraid that if we learn the truth about your ambitions or management issues, we'll leave. This is not OK.
Teams that treat fans as partners succeed. Teams that treat them as cash cows die slowly. What will it take for Fnatic to stop treating us like ATMs? Stop being afraid that if we learn the truth about your ambitions or management issues, we'll leave. This is not OK.
14/30
Spoiler: some are ALREADY leaving because Fnatic is deceiving and disappointing us. Transparency would actually keep us here. It's something that Fnatic has been failing to understand for years now. And the end results surely come back to bite you.
Spoiler: some are ALREADY leaving because Fnatic is deceiving and disappointing us. Transparency would actually keep us here. It's something that Fnatic has been failing to understand for years now. And the end results surely come back to bite you.
15/30
I believe there are two major areas where Fnatic must work URGENTLY for 2026. The first is transparency and communication. The second is roster construction. Both are existential issues that threaten Fnatic LOL's mere existence or relevance.
I believe there are two major areas where Fnatic must work URGENTLY for 2026. The first is transparency and communication. The second is roster construction. Both are existential issues that threaten Fnatic LOL's mere existence or relevance.
16/30
▶️ABOUT THE ROSTER CONSTRUCTION◀️
I have full confidence in the staff (who are FINALLY complete) to handle roster decisions. They're professionals. Where I have NO confidence is in Fnatic itself. Will you trust the staff entirely without forcing decisions upon them?
▶️ABOUT THE ROSTER CONSTRUCTION◀️
I have full confidence in the staff (who are FINALLY complete) to handle roster decisions. They're professionals. Where I have NO confidence is in Fnatic itself. Will you trust the staff entirely without forcing decisions upon them?
17/30
Again, it's clear that the roster wasn't built correctly, BEFORE hiring the staff. By whom, then? The result is a roster that hierarchically isn't accountable to the coaching staff, who are serving as a fuse for players who have no pressure to follow staff directives.
Again, it's clear that the roster wasn't built correctly, BEFORE hiring the staff. By whom, then? The result is a roster that hierarchically isn't accountable to the coaching staff, who are serving as a fuse for players who have no pressure to follow staff directives.
18/30
All year long, we heard the staff explain that players are resistant to change. Since elimination, we've read player interviews explaining they haven't agreed on how to play for ONE YEAR. ONE YEAR??? Do you realize how fuming we are right now when we read this?
All year long, we heard the staff explain that players are resistant to change. Since elimination, we've read player interviews explaining they haven't agreed on how to play for ONE YEAR. ONE YEAR??? Do you realize how fuming we are right now when we read this?
19/30
How do you explain that these players weren't locked in a room until they found a compromise on their visions of the game? Or that their different ways of seeing the game wasn't a core concern when hiring them? Ofc it wasn't, the roster was locked long before the staff!
How do you explain that these players weren't locked in a room until they found a compromise on their visions of the game? Or that their different ways of seeing the game wasn't a core concern when hiring them? Ofc it wasn't, the roster was locked long before the staff!
20/30
Because this roster was not built on compatibility (like G2 or MKOI do). It's also because the players have no pressure. No academy to threaten them with benching. For some, unprofessional lifestyle habits. Motivation purely focused on gameplay, not on communication.
Because this roster was not built on compatibility (like G2 or MKOI do). It's also because the players have no pressure. No academy to threaten them with benching. For some, unprofessional lifestyle habits. Motivation purely focused on gameplay, not on communication.
21/30
▶️REQUIREMENTS FOR 2026◀️
Don't repeat these mistakes in 2026. For the roster, give the staff complete freedom. They know the game. You don't. Accept that. Recruit COMPATIBLE players. Prioritize synergy over individual star power. This is what winning organizations do.
▶️REQUIREMENTS FOR 2026◀️
Don't repeat these mistakes in 2026. For the roster, give the staff complete freedom. They know the game. You don't. Accept that. Recruit COMPATIBLE players. Prioritize synergy over individual star power. This is what winning organizations do.
22/30
Get an academy team so players are under pressure. Creates internal competition, develops talent, and keeps everyone accountable. Grabbz has been asking for that for months too. Isn't it the best time to show your support toward your head coach?
Get an academy team so players are under pressure. Creates internal competition, develops talent, and keeps everyone accountable. Grabbz has been asking for that for months too. Isn't it the best time to show your support toward your head coach?
23/30
"It costs too much?" Then STOP selling us the idea that you're here to win, if you're not willing to invest for that. Simple as that. You need to make a choice for clarity, and that choice is NOW. Be ambitious and show it, or admit playing for top 3.
"It costs too much?" Then STOP selling us the idea that you're here to win, if you're not willing to invest for that. Simple as that. You need to make a choice for clarity, and that choice is NOW. Be ambitious and show it, or admit playing for top 3.
24/30
Give continuity to the staff so they're the true hierarchical superiors of the players. All these staff changes give the impression that the org doesn't trust them. That needs to end. Players need to understand that they're the ones pressured if they don't do their job.
Give continuity to the staff so they're the true hierarchical superiors of the players. All these staff changes give the impression that the org doesn't trust them. That needs to end. Players need to understand that they're the ones pressured if they don't do their job.
25/30
Hire a communication manager to do damage control. Grabbz shouldn't be doing press duty while trying to coach a Worlds team. This is basic organizational structure. How is this still an issue in such a big org? Neither should you, Sam, it's not your skillset either.
Hire a communication manager to do damage control. Grabbz shouldn't be doing press duty while trying to coach a Worlds team. This is basic organizational structure. How is this still an issue in such a big org? Neither should you, Sam, it's not your skillset either.
26/30
Clarify the Director situation. If it's Dardo, you know as well as I do that fans won't accept it. If it's not him, it shouldn't be hard to say who it is, right? Why is Fnatic so damn afraid to just explain clearly who does what at Fnatic LOL?
Clarify the Director situation. If it's Dardo, you know as well as I do that fans won't accept it. If it's not him, it shouldn't be hard to say who it is, right? Why is Fnatic so damn afraid to just explain clearly who does what at Fnatic LOL?
27/30
Unless it's someone parachuted into this position without League of Legends expertise, for the sake of saving some money, thinking it's not an important job (it's THE most important one). Or if you're bringing Grabbz to his knees having to manage two jobs at once.
Unless it's someone parachuted into this position without League of Legends expertise, for the sake of saving some money, thinking it's not an important job (it's THE most important one). Or if you're bringing Grabbz to his knees having to manage two jobs at once.
28/30
▶️FINAL WORDS◀️
Be transparent with us, and we'll support you through all the rebuilding ahead. Keep dodging, and we'll ignore you in return. Some will even decide to stop using their precious lifetime being bitter toward you and support another team. The choice is yours.
▶️FINAL WORDS◀️
Be transparent with us, and we'll support you through all the rebuilding ahead. Keep dodging, and we'll ignore you in return. Some will even decide to stop using their precious lifetime being bitter toward you and support another team. The choice is yours.
29/30
Thank you for reading this. If you're a Fnatic fan, please share your thoughts respectfully. Make your voice heard. Show Fnatic what you're looking for in an esports org. Prove to them it's more than just trophies (that we don't get either anyway...).
Thank you for reading this. If you're a Fnatic fan, please share your thoughts respectfully. Make your voice heard. Show Fnatic what you're looking for in an esports org. Prove to them it's more than just trophies (that we don't get either anyway...).
30/30
If you're Sam Mathews, know that we're not asking for the impossible. We're asking for basic transparency and competent management. The fans who remain are your most loyal : don't lose them too. 2026 is make-or-break. We're waiting for your answer, in words and acts. 🧡🖤
If you're Sam Mathews, know that we're not asking for the impossible. We're asking for basic transparency and competent management. The fans who remain are your most loyal : don't lose them too. 2026 is make-or-break. We're waiting for your answer, in words and acts. 🧡🖤
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