Outlaws Esports has officially ended its affiliation with the Free Fire team, NOOBZ – a move that sparked questions across the Nigerian Free Fire Esports community. In a public statement, Outlaws emphasized a commitment to “integrity, fair play, and ethical leadership”, noting that the team had been released as free agents after internal investigations.

To provide full context and transparency to the community, we at Nexal Gaming spoke directly with both Oluwatosin “Kise” Akinnubi, Head of Marketing and Esports at Outlaws, and Jason “Lord_Jay” God’spower, team manager and founder of NOOBZ.

What follows is a clearer picture of why this decision was made, how it unfolded, and what both parties are saying now.

A promising collaboration

NOOBZ and Outlaws began their partnership with shared goals;  visibility, competition, and professional structure. NOOBZ brought their gameplay experience and team identity, while Outlaws offered branding, support, and resources to elevate the team’s platform.

“We had a good relationship with the players,” said Kise. “But the working relationship with their manager became difficult over time and started affecting the overall synergy.”

Lord_Jay also acknowledged that the partnership had value. “Outlaws helped us amplify our visibility. It was a learning experience and gave us a clearer view of what professionalism in Esports should look like.”

The incident that led to separation

While both sides agree that issues had been building for a while, the final decision was triggered by a specific event.

Outlaws reported that the NOOBZ team, including management, made a decision to participate in an activity that conflicted with Outlaws’ ethical standards. An investigation was launched, and once misconduct was confirmed, Outlaws chose to terminate the roster under its brand.

“There was a clear breach of our core values,” Kise said. “Our ethics policy is non-negotiable. We made the decision to release the entire team in accordance with our internal standards.”

Clarity from Lord_Jay

To understand what happened on the NOOBZ side, Nexal Gaming reached out to Lord_Jay for clarification. He explained that the situation stemmed not from intentional misconduct, but from structural and communication lapses.

“We didn’t manage a few situations as well as we should have,” he admitted. “There were communication gaps about roles, expectations, and discipline. But this wasn’t rooted in dishonesty. We’ve owned up to our mistakes.”

According to him, both parties met before the public announcement and agreed that their long-term visions no longer aligned. He maintains that the decision was mutual, though the final framing came from Outlaws as the sponsor.

What about the players?

Outlaws has confirmed that the players were released from any obligations to the organization and are now free agents.

“All members were involved in the incident, and based on our zero-tolerance policy, we terminated the team,” Kise stated.

Lord_Jay, however, emphasized that while the Outlaws affiliation has ended, the players are still active under the NOOBZ brand, which remains independently owned and managed.

“The players are still with us. We’ve chosen to continue as an independent team and build stronger systems internally. We’ve been transparent with our team from the start.”

Different angles, shared lessons

While their interpretations of the incident differ, both Outlaws and NOOBZ agree on one thing; this was a necessary shift, and an opportunity for growth.

Kise reinforced Outlaws’ focus on ethical leadership: “We’re not just building teams. We’re building a culture. Fair play and integrity will always come first.”

Lord_Jay echoed the importance of structure and accountability: “This experience has been humbling. We’re rebuilding, and we’re committed to doing things better.”

Moving forward, Outlaws is now turning its focus to other divisions like CS:GO and EAFC. Future partnerships and roster announcements remain confidential for now, but Kise assures fans that structured plans are in place.

NOOBZ, on the other hand, is undergoing a rebrand. The team remains active, and Lord_Jay says they’re reviewing operations to ensure a higher standard moving forward.

“This isn’t the end,” he said. “It’s a chapter that taught us valuable lessons. The goal remains the same; grow, compete, and improve.”

For the community

This story serves as a reminder that partnerships in Esports require more than shared ambition. They demand aligned values, clear communication, and continuous structure.

The Nigerian Esports scene is maturing, and as it does, stories like this, though tough, help shape a more professional future.

Last Updated on July 10, 2025