M80 Pulls Out Of VALORANT Challengers 2025 North America: Chet’s Pets To Go Instead?
What happened to M80? Find out why M80 pulled out of NA VALORANT Challengers, releasing its full roster. Now reborn as “Chet’s Pets,” the team enters Stage 2 playoffs without org backing, exposing deeper flaws in Tier 2 esports.
M80 Pulls Out Of VALORANT Challengers 2025 North America: Chet’s Pets To Go Instead?
In a move that stunned VCT watchers, M80—one of North America’s most promising Tier 2 org—has officially withdrawn from the scene, releasing its entire roster and vacating its Challengers slot.
Coach Chet "Chet" Singh, veterans like Victor "Victor" Wong, rising stars like Banh "Bao" Bao, and the rest of the squad are now team less. And no, this isn’t your usual offseason reshuffle. This is a full-blown letdown. Let’s get into it
From Ascension Finalists to “Chet’s Pets”
According to sources, M80 has been struggling to pay their players. This dates back to last year where players had to have Riot Games step in for them to get their salary. At this moment, there is still players that have not been paid and are working with Player Association to… https://t.co/52BjemC90U
— thomas (@AkamaruVal) May 14, 2025
For the past two years, M80 felt like the team that was right there—constantly knocking on the door to Tier 1, only to fall heartbreakingly short in both 2023 and 2024 Ascension finals. Fans rallied behind them because they had something that’s increasingly rare in NA VALORANT: cohesion, consistency and a slow-burn arc that felt earned.
But behind the scenes? It was chaos.
According to multiple reports—players went unpaid for months. Riot had to be pulled in just to get the players some of what they were owed. It’s a damning look for an org that was once hailed as Tier 2’s great hope. Some players, as of this writing, are still waiting for compensation.
On May 15, just ahead of the Stage 2 Challengers playoffs, M80 officially pulled the plug.
No Org, No Problem?
— M80 (@M80gg) May 16, 2025
Here’s where it gets interesting: the team isn’t dying. It’s just being reborn.
The entire roster—including Victor, bao, Kyu, geeza, and Marved—will continue under the name Chet’s Pets, with Coach Chet still leading the charge. And make no mistake, this isn’t some content team stunt. This is a serious lineup still competing for a shot at Ascension.
The current roster:
- Victor "Victor" Wong
- Banh "bao" Bao
- Mirel "Kyu" Braco Hrustemovic
- Tanner "geeza" McGhee
- Jimmy "Marved" Nguyen
- Chet "Chet" Singh (Coach)
This is a core that wants to stick together. They’ve been public about looking for a new home or sponsor, but until that happens, it’s grassroots mode. And honestly? That is a statement on its own.
M80's Legacy
Let’s not sugarcoat this. M80 leaving is more than just another org stepping back. This is a symptom of the deeper rot in the Tier 2 ecosystem. How does a team this successful, with this much fan support and near Tier 1 results, not survive?
M80’s legacy will always be tied to heartbreak—both in-game and behind the scenes. They developed talent that made it to the top (Johnqt: the second 'FNS' for example), built a loyal fanbase, and still couldn’t make the economics work.
It’s not just sad. It’s infuriating.
So What Now?
“Chet’s Pets” are heading into Stage 2 playoffs with nothing but their drive. No salaries. No content teams. No flashy sponsors. Just grit.
If they make a deep run and they’re more than capable—it’ll be the kind of underdog storyline this scene desperately needs. But it also raises a tough question: If this squad was one financial misstep away from collapse, who’s really safe in Tier 2?
NA VALORANT has a talent pool worth betting on, but if the infrastructure keeps failing the players, the scene will bleed out before it ever matures.
And M80? They’ll be remembered. But not for the reasons they’d hoped..
Written By: Sarah Dar (Writing Intern, India Today Gaming)
