Cloud9 Ends Longstanding Sponsorship with Smash Bros. Pro Mang0 After Inappropriate Conduct at Mario Kart 'Beerio Kart' Event

In a significant development for the competitive Super Smash Bros.

community, esports organization Cloud9 has officially ended its 11-year partnership with pro player Joseph 'Mang0' Marquez.

This follows reported inappropriate behavior during a recent Mario Kart 'Beerio Kart' tournament hosted by online personality Ludwig Aghren—a move that brings to a close one of the longest and most prominent sponsorships in esports history. Mang0, widely regarded as one of the greatest Super Smash Bros.

Melee players of all time for his dominance with characters like Jigglypuff, Fox, and Falco, faced immediate consequences after the incident.

The tournament in question, held by Aghren, was an unofficial Mario Kart event dubbed 'Beerio Kart,' a social drinking game variant played on Nintendo hardware.

While the event was not officially sanctioned or endorsed by Nintendo, it drew significant attention within the gaming scene. According to Sports Illustrated, the situation escalated when Aghren announced Marquez had been banned from all his future events based on several "inappropriate actions towards other creators, including multiple women" while under the influence.

Following public scrutiny, Cloud9 promptly conducted an internal review.

The organization subsequently released a statement, emphasizing its "zero-tolerance stance regarding harassment or any other form of inappropriate conduct." Cloud9 concluded that immediate separation from Marquez was necessary to uphold its values within the esports industry. Addressing the situation directly, Marquez acknowledged responsibility for his actions, stating he had "no one to blame but myself," and expressed remorse for letting things reach such a low point.

He issued a public apology to "everyone" affected and suggested that this incident will likely lead to exclusion from future tournaments—though as of now, no formal tournament bans have been announced beyond Aghren's events. Mang0's professional career has been marked by multiple major victories and pivotal moments in Super Smash Bros.

Melee history, cementing his legacy as a champion on the Nintendo platform.

However, this incident underscores the increasing emphasis on tournament professionalism and community standards in esports, particularly in relation to conduct at both official and unofficial Nintendo-related events. The conclusion of Cloud9's partnership with Marquez marks a turning point not only for the player but also for the competitive Smash Bros.

scene, raising further discussions about the responsibilities of athletes and organizations in fostering a safe and respectful environment for all participants.

Mario Kart Super Smash Bros Mario Smash Bros Kart Cloud9 Joseph Mang0 Marquez Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Ludwig Aghren Sports Illustrated Jigglypuff Fox Falco