Team Secret CEO Faces Backlash After Mocking Player Virtue

Posted : 12 February 2025

Team Secret CEO John ‘zypher84’ Yao has come under fire for his controversial remarks directed at Australian Rainbow Six Siege player Jake ‘Virtue’ Grannan following the team’s early exit from the 2025 Six Invitational. Team Secret’s disappointing performance in the tournament saw them fail to secure a single victory during the group stage, resulting in their elimination.

Losses to FaZe Clan, Shopify Rebellion, FURIA, and CAG Osaka left the team with a top 20 finish, earning them $35,000 (~£28,274) in prize money. Shortly after the group stage, Virtue revealed that he had been released from the roster, expressing his surprise that a single poor tournament performance had cost him his spot on the team.

In the aftermath of Virtue’s announcement, Yao posted a photo on social media showing the Team Secret roster in a hotel room, with Virtue’s back turned to the camera. The post appeared to mock Virtue’s emotional state, using sarcasm to justify the roster change. Virtue responded to the post, sharing that he was “almost crying” and unable to face his teammates at the time.

The incident sparked widespread criticism from the Rainbow Six esports community, with many condemning Yao’s handling of the situation. Critics labeled his behavior as “embarrassing” and emphasized the importance of acknowledging players’ humanity, arguing that men should not be shamed for expressing their emotions.

Virtue further addressed the situation on social media, stating, “God forbid you cry after thinking you got eliminated from the tournament and don’t want people seeing you cry so you have your head down on your desk. You might get kicked for it. Grown men don’t cry, forgot about that…” The backlash against Yao grew rapidly, prompting him to admit his mistake and pledge to apologize to Virtue in person.

While the incident has drawn significant criticism, it has also sparked broader discussions about mental health in esports, particularly as players compete under immense pressure for substantial prize money on the global stage.

The controversy surrounding Team Secret is not the only incident to mar the 2025 Six Invitational. In a separate development, M80 coach Matheus ‘Budega’ Figueiredo received a two-year suspension from all Rainbow Six events organized by BLAST following an altercation after a match between M80 and DarkZero Esports.

As a result of the ban, Budega will be barred from participating in any BLAST R6 events until the conclusion of the 2027 Six Invitational. These incidents have highlighted the challenges and tensions within the competitive esports landscape, raising questions about professionalism and the treatment of players and staff in high-stakes environments.

Team Secret CEO Faces Backlash After Mocking Player Virtue

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