Boston Uprising’s Huk denies allegations made after season one of the Overwatch League

Chris ‘Huk’ Loranger, President of Gaming for Boston Uprising owners The Kraft Group, has responded to criticism of his management of the team during Season One of the Overwatch League.

A recent report by VP Esports alleged that Huk was responsible for a highly negative atmosphere with the Boston team.

The report cites issues with the managerial structure, communication failures, and Loranger’s own “abrasive” approach to management among factors contributing to a divided and dissatisfied team.

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With one half of the team comprised of South Korean players and the other of western players, a divide between the two groups reportedly developed over the course of the season. This divide was compounded by head coach Park ‘Crusty’ Da-hee being told to predominantly coach the Korean players while the rest of the staff focused on the English-speakers.

Frustrations within the team reportedly resulted in multiple incidents that impacted the team’s practice, from disruptive players interrupting sessions to entire scrim blocks being called off due to tensions within the squad.

The report also cites the team’s financial compensation as a source of friction, with players displeased with their salary figures, most of which are close to the league minimum. Boston also allegedly did not re-negotiate contracts for Season Two, unlike many other teams.

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Meanwhile, the team were reportedly required to live with three players to each two-bedroom apartment, with only a room divider separating the third from the living area.

In an extensive post of his own, Huk has denied the allegations, stating that “the majority of the statements in the article are hurtful and grossly false, some being partially true but twisted to fit an agenda/narrative that isn’t true.”

Huk directly refutes certain claims – such as that he made a member of staff cry by verbally attacking them over a “minor mistake” and that the Boston Uprising refused to play for Stanislov ‘Mistakes’ Danilov’s flight home after releasing him – and describes the team’s internal issues during season one as “[not] unlike or any different then most other teams in the League”.

The full report detailing the accusations against Huk and the Boston management can be read here. Huk’s full response to the allegations can be read here.