PR: “I Was Getting Hyped Up… But It Was Just Twitter Rumours” — Czech Talent Reflects on Off-Season Speculation

PR: “I Was Getting Hyped Up… But It Was Just Twitter Rumours” — Czech Talent Reflects on Off-Season Speculation

Oldřich PR Nový, the 18-year-old Czech rifler for GamerLegion, has publicly addressed the swirl of transfer rumours that dominated Counter-Strike Twitter and community forums during the off-season — and ultimately proved to be unfounded. According to an interview with HLTV.org, PR admitted he briefly entertained the possibility of a big move, but the excitement quickly faded once he realized the chatter was nothing more than speculation. 

Throughout late 2025 and early 2026, various posts on social media suggested PR could be headed elsewhere — with rumours circulating about interest from organizations like MOUZ or even a buy-out by 100 Thieves. However, PR told HLTV there was “nothing going on, really” and described the narrative as “just Twitter rumours.” He also acknowledged feeling hopeful at first, saying that after a few days he realized “nothing was gonna happen.” 

Despite the hype online, GamerLegion ultimately retained PR on their active roster for the 2026 competitive season. The young rifler’s comments came alongside reflections on GamerLegion’s challenging end to 2025, when the team finished poorly at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 and saw veteran IGL Ashley “ash” Battye step down due to burnout. 

Team Situation and Role Changes After a Turbulent Off-Season

GamerLegion’s re-entry into the new year brought internal reorganization. Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski returned as in-game leader, taking over from Erik “ztr” Gustafsson’s longstanding shot-caller position. PR elaborated in the interview that the shift has changed team dynamics and requires adaptation, but he remains focused on improving results and climbing the VRS rankings — Valve’s system for tournament invitations. 

With ash’s departure, PR called his presence a “safe space,” indicating the emotional as well as competitive impact of roster changes. He praised Snax’s influence and stressed that the team is “doing good so far,” though settling into a new strategic direction has challenges. 

Transfer Rumours: Twitter Culture vs Verified Moves

The incident highlights a broader pattern in Counter-Strike esports: rampant off-season rumour activity. Accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit often generate speculation about transfers long before any official announcements. Community threads discussing PR’s situation racked up dozens of comments — some defending the player’s professionalism, others lamenting how quickly rumours take hold in the CS ecosystem. 

This isn’t unprecedented. False roster change rumours have impacted other teams too — for example, earlier speculation that Natus Vincere (NaVi) would trade rising star w0nderful was publicly denied by NaVi staff, who called the claims “false” and motivated by a desire for attention rather than fact. 

On the other hand, genuine transfer movement is a staple of the Counter-Strike calendar. HLTV maintains a constantly updated transfer page, tracking every confirmed player move across the global competitive scene — from free agent signings to multi-team trades — making it a reliable source to separate verified changes from internet speculation. 

Why Rumours Spread — And How Players Respond

The culture of leaks and speculation in esports has a long history. Veteran analysts and commentators have criticized “leaker culture,” stressing that unverified reports are not journalism and often mislead fans and players alike. In PR’s case, he admitted that for a moment he got caught up in the excitement the rumours generated — a reaction many players may share when their name enters transfer conversations — but he stressed reality quickly set in. 

For PR, now firmly at GamerLegion, the priority is clear: return to competitive form, help the team regain VRS invite status, and earn valuable playoff appearances in 2026. Amid dynamic roster markets and constant online chatter, his measured response sheds light on what it’s like to be a young pro navigating the hype machine of modern Counter-Strike.