05.09.24 - 16:0005.09.2024 - 16:00·14m14 minutos de lectura·

Por Lucas Jacque

TDS KRussT: "Health Comes First" — Behind the Disband

This Thursday, Team du Sud, led by Sixen and Slipix, announced they’ll disband at year’s end. CEO KRussT explains the decision's impact on the French esports scene.

🇬🇧English

"Slipix can't go on"

On Thursday, almost three years to the day after its creation by the emblematic duo Maxime "Sixen" Tchoroukian and Andreas "Slipix" Ergas, Team du Sud announced that they would cease their activities at the end of the year. The team had made its mark in Dofus but was best known for its presence in League of Legends. TDS had an exceptional season there in 2023, winning both Div2 splits and securing promotion to the LFL, the French elite league, for 2024. That same year, the Blue Wave reached the final of the Coupe de France.

After a mixed year on the sporting front, the Southerners are setting sail. They are leaving behind a very committed fanbase, which helped build the unique identity of this much-loved club. Lucas "KRussT" Besnard, the club's CEO, explains the reasons behind this decision, which has sent shockwaves through the French ecosystem.

What were the reasons behind your decision to leave esports?

Lucas “KRussT” Besnard: “Above all, it’s a humane choice. TDS has been an incredible and humane adventure. It was built on values and a culture that we tried to share as best we could, and it couldn’t have ended any other way than with the same kind of problem. Today, Slipix has health issues. Despite the success we’ve had in the LFL Division 2 and beyond, the last three years have been very complicated for Sixen and him. It was a combination of factors that influenced this decision: the profitability of esports, the pressure for results, and the time commitment—especially for people who are also streamers like Sixen and Slipix. The decision to stop is really theirs as founders and managers of TDS.

Moreover, the scale of TDS changed significantly. From having an Open Tour team to running an LFL team and a company, it was an extreme shift that the guys hadn’t fully anticipated. We were very reluctant to join the LFL this year but decided to go for it, thinking the opportunity wouldn’t come again. While it has been a success in many ways, the financial and personal investment has been overwhelming. Health had to come first.

Are the health problems you mentioned the number one reason?

KRussT: Yes, that’s the main reason. Slipix has already talked about it. He has a health issue that has become more serious, requiring him to avoid sources of stress over the next few months, or possibly even years. A project in the LFL is not exactly what the doctor recommends to manage that. For Sixen, it’s more of a 'mental' health issue, meaning his personal fulfillment has taken a hit. Our main sponsor has always been HOLY, and the rest came out of the guys' pockets. Everyone has a personal life, so balancing TDS with personal life wasn’t easy. Even though we believe our main worries about sponsorship for next year are resolved, health comes first, and no extra sponsor will make a difference, especially for Slipix. As I said, the last three years have been too taxing on everyone, and we decided to prioritize people over the project. In other words, we chose to step back, stop the expenses, and appreciate what we achieved rather than focus on the disappointment of ending it.

What impact did these financial issues have on the final decision?

KRussT: The club has been running at a loss since its inception, which is quite normal in the early days, like many in the ecosystem. In Div2, we had to have the means to fulfill our ambitions if we hoped to progress, and with the arrival of the LFL, investments tripled or quadrupled. Unfortunately, sponsors didn't keep up with the increase in the first year, making the transition particularly difficult. We had to inject our own funds at the end of 2023, at the very start of our LFL adventure, to absorb this financial shock and ensure the transition. Thanks to HOLY and the success of our shirts, we were able to break even in the first part of the year. Other merchandising initiatives, such as the prokit and lifestyle collections, are also helping us, even if their impact is less than that of the shirts, which is normal in this context. Honestly, all we would have needed this year was one more good sponsor to ease our minds. Despite being the 'poorest team,' we managed our budget intelligently over the year, especially given the conditions under which we entered the LFL and the challenges of being an ascending club.

Merchandising has been a key element this year, something I targeted last year when preparing for the LFL. Tropik and I have done an excellent job; he’s been incredible, and I think we can be proud of our contribution to the esports scene. However, constantly relying on merchandising to bridge the gap between our income and expenditure has been mentally taxing. The constant pressure, with the threat of failure hanging over us, was a reminder that if a collection failed, we wouldn’t be able to pay everyone. It’s inconceivable for us to default on such issues, as it contradicts our values. Money issues are extremely important to us, especially for Sixen. Never being late with payments and trying to bring stability to the esports world on our scale has been our goal for two years. It was inevitably linked to our merchandise, because we quickly realized we might not attract additional sponsors. The market and ecosystem have been like that for 2-3 years now. We've often heard, 'You’re very nice at TDS, but do it this year and then we’ll see because we don’t really know what you’ll come up with.' Financially, it’s always been complicated.

If the results in the LFL this year had been more convincing, might the decision have been different?

KRussT: That’s a question we asked ourselves a lot. Well, I’m the one who asked the guys a lot. We might have considered it more, but as I said, it wouldn’t have changed Slipix’s health issues. And I think Sixen would agree that it wouldn’t have changed anything for him either. Obviously, you’re always happier to win than to lose. But Sixen told me something that surprised me a few months ago. He said that during our year in Div2, we won everything, but he was never truly free of stress. He’s never been 100% happy without feeling there were still issues. Even when we qualified for the LFL, one of his first thoughts was, 'Ah fuck, we're in the LFL, we're going to have to work hard, it's going to be tough.' We weren’t even sure we really wanted to go up.

Was there any possibility that the TDS project would continue without Slipix?

KRussT: It was mentioned and discussed. We’re entering a part of the decision that I can’t go into much detail about. It was a solution we explored, probably the most explored, but it couldn’t work out because Sixen and Slipix disagreed on various points, such as buying out shares or the general use of the TDS name. It didn’t make sense to continue with a name other than Team du Sud. So, the compromise was simply to stop.

You said that Slipix would have to distance himself for a few months or years. Have you also thought about TDS continuing to exist, with Slipix temporarily taking a back seat?

KRussT: That was another solution proposed, and it was even the first one suggested. But very quickly, Slipix said he couldn’t see himself stepping back, on standby, while TDS continued. In the collective consciousness, Team du Sud will always be associated with both Sixen and Slipix. So, Slipix didn’t consider stepping down. For him, who wants to be at ease, avoiding stress and focusing on his health, would taking a back seat really change anything? TDS would still exist and he would remain linked to it. TDS is deeply tied to Sixen and Slipix, both while it exists and after it’s gone.

The veteran Febiven played for TDS in 2023. Credit: Elliot Le Corre/LFL

How did you feel when the decision was made?

KRussT: It’s been hard for everyone. It wasn’t a decision made overnight; it dragged on for several months. More generally, Sixen had the most doubts about the year in the LFL for various reasons. So, had the thinking started at that point? The truth is, this choice is more complicated for Sixen because he’s been forced into it more; Slipix really needs to stop. As long as TDS exists, he’ll have this potential source of stress, which is dangerous for him. For Sixen, it’s also a matter of respect and humanity. Slipix can’t continue. We tried to find common ground and see if we could do something, but we couldn’t. It’s a business decision and a human relationship between two very close people. The decision was made in a little over two months, around halfway through the Summer Split. We tried to keep it under wraps until the season was over. With a Viewing Party coming up, we wanted to do things right, and as discussions continued, it became clear that we couldn’t continue with TDS.

Does Sixen have any plans to stay in esports?

KRussT: I think he loves League of Legends and competition too much to stop completely. Whether he’ll stay in esports by joining a structure or starting an Open Tour project, I don’t know. Like Slipix and me, he’s loved what he’s experienced over the last three years. Despite many difficulties, we’ve had some magical moments with our fans and in our day-to-day work. Seeing our results and the people who follow and love TDS has been incredible. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sixen back in an esports project, maybe not next year, but perhaps with his Decimus project. If that works well and creates a virtuous circle, he could return to the scene.

What would have been the trajectory of TDS in the years to come if these problems hadn't arisen?

KRussT: Our trajectory had been almost exponential since Div2, and we had no intention of stopping there. We were discussing local premises for next year, support from the Région Sud, and potentially expanding into other games like Valorant, though it wasn’t something we were pushing hard. Our priority was to do things we liked. The heart of TDS is League of Legends, and we didn’t see a need to move to other games unless we really wanted to. We wanted a club that reflected our image and allowed us to work on what we loved. For example, Dofus is iconic for us, and last year we were world champions, so it made sense. But when we got to the LFL, we cut it out due to the human and time-consuming investment, even if it didn’t cost much money.

For next year, we aimed to have a solid LFL project. I’ve spoken to many people, know many coaches, and was excited about building a TDS project for 2025. We had many ideas and wanted to work with hungry, young, French players. Unfortunately, it won’t happen, but I believe the TDS spirit will live on through its members, whatever they do next.

How do you feel about this announcement? As you said, TDS is a spirit, a club that everyone loves...

KRussT: We're very sad. For Sixen and Slipix, it's particularly tough because they know that a large part of the TDS fanbase is their community. Overall, we're just disheartened to make this announcement because we’re pretty upset ourselves. But unfortunately, that's life. There's a feeling of wasted potential that's quite immense, shared by Sixen and Slipix. The decision was made for reasons we can’t really question. I'm thinking especially of Les Gâtés (the TDS supporters' association), and I’m quite devastated when I think about how they've been incredible for three years. The fact that they’ve finally created their association, took all the necessary steps just a few months ago, and that this decision comes afterward... I’m just disgusted and sad. There’s no big apology to be made, but I do apologize to Les Gâtés for the form. We're just as sad as they are, if not more, and I think they know that.

What kind of reaction are you expecting?

KRussT: I’m expecting a reaction of sadness and perhaps a bit of frustration over the wasted potential or the 'we’ve worked so hard for this to end' aspect. But I know that any negativity from the community will not be intentionally directed at Sixen, Slipix, me, or anyone else. It will be a normal reaction from people who are invested, who loved something, and who see it come to an end, realizing that whatever came before will no longer exist, and what might have come after will not happen. I’ll certainly understand any negative words or messages. But I know we’ll receive a lot of support or at least many positive messages. I think that will help us a lot because we’ve been working for months—Sixen, Slipix, and myself—moving forward knowing it was all coming to an end. It’s been almost as long for the TDS staff internally, who also knew.

Precisely how have you managed to work for several weeks knowing that this announcement was coming?

KRussT: It's not easy. It’s been a strange time. The decision was definitively confirmed at the end of July, so we've all been working for quite a while now, fully aware that it’s all going to come to an end. A lot of people come to see me for different reasons—internships, projects, small businesses... When I can help, I do, but there’s a large proportion of messages to which I just reply, 'I’m sorry, it’s too early for us, but I’ll get back to you.' And I write that knowing full well that it’s not too soon; it’s just that it’s pointless. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking. These are people I’ll probably get back to and apologize to. It’s going to be a lot of messages (laughs), but I’m going to do it. It’s important.

What about Sixen and Slipix?

KRussT: I know they don’t reply to a lot of messages either because they can’t say much, and it wouldn’t be relevant. I often push them with dilemmas or questions, suggesting things to keep things moving. They say to me, 'Look, there’s not necessarily any point in going to all that trouble.' But for me, it’s important because TDS will be partly remembered for the way it ended. The Viewing Party we had in July was a big deal for me because it was important to have an IRL event this year and to have it be the last thing we leave behind in the LFL. Sixen and Slipix were very hesitant and weren’t sure it was a good idea. I was sure it could only bring positive results. In the end, they were very happy and told me things were going better. It was important for us to leave that kind of mark. It wasn’t anything insane, but as TDS in the LFL, having at least one IRL event in the South with your community was something we really wanted to do.

Between now and the end of the year, there's one competition left on the French scene, the Coupe de France. Will Team du Sud be taking part, and with what roster?

KRussT: Obviously, TDS will be playing in the Coupe de France. We’ll be playing with Sixen in the jungle. For those wondering, we tried to include Slipix, but it wasn’t possible. According to the rules, we’re only allowed one change to the roster that was registered for the last official competition match.

Coupe de France 2024 bracket. Credit Liquipédia

What are your ambitions?

KRussT: As the 9th seed in the LFL, we're in the last group of 32. If we get past the first BO, that's great (laughs). I think we can make it. I don't know who we'll be playing against, but Sixen is still Grand Masters, not D3. Obviously, in a competitive environment, it's a different matter, especially with Sixen's English (laughs). Even with all the effort Sixen has put in and the progress he’s made, it’s my dream to have Sixen’s voice comms in the LFL team during a Coupe de France BO3. And even if we win this first BO, we’d then have a BO5 against an LFL team (Solary) before a potential quarter-final.

Unless there’s a surprise, this would be against BDSA, the champions of the LFL and the EMEA Masters...

KRussT: It's my dream to have a quarter-final against BDSA with a Shaco-Nunu Sixen-SkewMond match-up, but I have very little faith in that (laughs)."

Header Photo Credit: Elliot Le Corre