La compra de Uzi:
Jian "Uzi" Zihao will join QG Reapers, the Newbee weibo announced Thursday.
Uzi was previously a member of Royal Club in 2013 and 2014, but spent 2015 playing with OMG. After OMG failed to qualify for the World Championship, many expected him to leave the organization but conflicts surrounding a reportedly high buyout and complaints of shoulder pain allowed for lingering doubt.
Newbee announced their acquisition of QG Reapers today. The new backer gives the QG Reapers the resources to pay for Uzi's reportedly exorbitant buyout.
Earlier today, it was promised that the announcement of Uzi's new team would "surprise everyone." QG's manager Li "LinkO" Linke told fans prior to the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne that QG "won’t really make any changes. However, if there’s any new information, we will tell everyone as soon as possible."
Despite a season fraught with conflicts on OMG, Uzi finished 2015 with a 3.8 KDA in the LPL and a 55% win rate. The QG Reapers formed at the end of 2014 and managed to qualify for the LPL and place second in the 2015 LPL Summer Season. QG also recently placed second at Intel Extreme Masters Cologne with now substitute AD carry, Yu "TnT" Rui.
La compra de Newbee:
Newbee have acquired QG Reapers, according to a report by Chinese publication Chinese Esports Athletes. The Newbee organization confirmed the report shortly following its publication on their own weibo.
The report included information on the Newbee organization's history, particularly in Dota 2 and winning The International 4. The article also reviewed the QG Reapers' history from their formation in January 2015 through winning second place in the 2015 LPL Summer split.
According to the report by Chinese Esports Ahtletes, Newbee said they had been trying to find success in League of Legends and managed to build a strong LSPL team, but were looking to get a more immediate foothold in the LPL. QG Reapers met their needs and ideals.
Chinese Esports Athletes concluded with a statement from QG Reapers manager, Li "LinkO" Linke:
"This is a strong combination: QG have good players, but Newbee is a wealthy club with a good management system. I believe that after these events, we can achieve the desired results!"
Sources close to QG Reapers have confirmed the acquisition with theScore eSports. According to sources, the club sold for roughly 12 million RMB ($1.85 million USD).
The Chinese League of Legends single ownership policy allows for an organization to own both an LSPL team and an LPL team. Newbee will also retain ownership of their LSPL team, which will continue to compete for a spot in the LPL.
