Natus Vincere briefly secured Panagiotis "Empyros" Tantis as emergency cover for their LEC Summer Split opener, with the Greek toplaner signing a one-week contract with the Ukrainian organization, as reflected in the League of Legends Global Contract Database.
The move was made amid uncertainty surrounding the availability of regular toplaner Volodymyr "Maynter" Sorokin, who had returned to Ukraine to resolve administrative matters related to his personal situation. At the time, there were concerns that Maynter might be unable to return to Berlin in time for the opening week of the LEC Summer Split.
However, sources tell Sheep Esports that Maynter was ultimately able to travel from Ukraine back to Berlin, meaning Empyros was never required to step into NAVI's starting lineup. The one-week deal nevertheless appeared in the Global Contract Database as the organization prepared for the possibility that it would need a substitute.
The emergency arrangement highlights the uncertainty NAVI faced ahead of their Summer Split opener against Karmine Corp. Rather than risk entering the week without a registered substitute, the organization moved quickly to secure Empyros as temporary cover while Maynter's availability remained unclear.
A short-lived opportunity for Empyros
For Empyros, the deal offered a potential route back into the LEC after losing his starting position at Fnatic ahead of the Summer Split. The Greek toplaner had been part of Fnatic since the beginning of the season before being replaced by Lim "Soboro" Seong-min.
Although Empyros ultimately did not play a single game for NAVI, his one-week contract allowed the organization to have an experienced LEC-level option available should Maynter have been unable to return in time.
