​ As many ​fans noticed during StarLadder StarSeries Season 5 over the weekend, SK Gaming's players did not wear team jerseys for a significant portion of the event. That happened largely as a result of growing tension between the players and organization, according to multiple sources close to the team. SK Gaming has been unwilling to provide a place for the players to boot camp and has instead given office space to the Não Tem Como roster, an acquisition that will be unveiled after the current group of players leaves to sign with Immortals next month.





The SK players have negotiated boot camp locations on their own with tournament organizers in exchange for agreeing to play in smaller tournaments. That explains SK's appearance at the Adrenaline Cyber League and a future appearance at a small tournament in Portugal, all while preparing for more prestigious events like StarLadder. The players have asked for their release from the organization on multiple occasions, according to sources, but SK Gaming has declined the requests.





The jersey incident last week is another odd circumstance regarding the SK Gaming players and the organization in recent weeks. Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo ​posted to Twit​ter during the ESL Pro League Season 7 Finals last month to complain why a company of which he had never heard was running ads with the likeness of he and teammate Marcelo "coldzera" David. It turned out the company, Gameflip, ​signed a sponsorship with SK Gaming in April, which FalleN ​admitted to not knowing.





A source implied months ago that the SK Gaming organization planned to use the large draw and influence of the current players -- one of the most successful and popular Counter-Strike teams of the last two and a half years -- to help finalize sponsorship opportunities before the players leave, even though they will field the Não Tem Como roster after that.





The current SK Gaming lineup of FalleN, coldzera, Fernando "fer" Alvarenga, Ricardo "boltz" Prass and Jake "Stewie2k" Yip plans to join Immortals after their current contracts expire July 1. It is expected that the team will play as “MiBR,” which stands for “Made in Brazil.” SK Gaming has responded by ​courting the NTC roster, a move DBLTAP reported last month as ​already a done deal.





The current SK players reached the quarterfinals for their second event in a row over the weekend at StarLadder, losing a close 2-1 series to eventual winner Natus Vincere.





SK Gaming did not respond ​ to requests for comment.

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