UPDATE: Panda Global CEO Alan Bunney has issues a statement in regards to the social media response to Scar's contract:
"PG wants to respect the legacy of MK and the accomplishments of Scar. He is an incredible player and we don't want this weighing on him on competition, so we've decided to revise the clause. We love the hype of Mortal Kombat and people feel like fatalities are an important part of the excitement of watching the game."
The original story continues below.
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North American multi-game esports organization Panda Global is expanding its roster to Mortal Kombat today with the signing of top player Brad "Scar" Vaughn. Vaughn will immediately begin to compete under the Panda Global banner, with his first appearance under the team taking place this weekend at the ESL Mortal Kombat X Pro League Finals in Burbank, California.
"Brad is one of the best Mortal Kombat players in the world," Panda Global CEO Alan Bunney M.D. tells ESPN.com about his team's new pickup. "But what drove us to him was his drive and ethic. He will keep training until he is a household name among FGC esports fans, which is someone we're proud to have with us."
Scar's contract for the deal includes a clause which will prohibit him from executing Mortal Kombat's infamous Fatalities, a finishing blow that each character has which brutally, in gruesome detail, ends the match.
"It's an honor to be apart of an organization who genuinely cares about their players and helps them to excel," Scar tells ESPN about his new home. "I'm looking to help Panda Global reach new heights."
"Scar's contract for the deal includes a clause which will prohibit him from executing Mortal Kombat's infamous Fatalities, a finishing blow that each character has which brutally, in gruesome detail, ends the match."
This weekend may give him that opportunity as he faces off with the best in the world at the game. In the first round, he will face Austrian Mortal Kombat pro, Boki. But the real challenge is the final boss, Dominique "Sonic Fox" McLean, who has made his name as one of the best in the game, aside from a recent loss at Combo Breaker.
At the last ESL Mortal Kombat X Pro League finals in January, Scar faced off with Sonic Fox, with the latter taking the set. This weekend may be Scar's chance for revenge.
Scar is Panda Global's fourth fighting game acquisition since its launch last summer, as well as its eleventh pickup overall. Prior to signing Scar, Panda Global picked up a handful of talented players across the Street Fighter series, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Guilty Gear, Heroes of the Storm, Pokken Tournament, and Splatoon.
With its rapid expansion, the team has picked up a number of notable players, including popular fighting game pro Ryan "Filipino Champ" Ramirez, who recently was nominated for the Bud Light Esports All-Stars at DreamHack Austin. The team also houses Melee player and commentator Robert "Wobbles" Wright and top ten player Justin "Plup" McGrath.