In July 2025, the Counter-Strike scene witnessed one of the loudest public conflicts in recent years. At the center of the storm stood two major figures — British journalist Richard Lewis and Russian insider and former scout OverDrive (Aleksei Biryukov). Their feud blended issues of trust, reputation, ethics, and even personal betrayal. What started as criticism quickly escalated into a full-blown public fallout, drawing attention from fans and pro players alike.
Who Are Richard Lewis and OverDrive?
Richard Lewis is a well-known British journalist and host who has worked with ESL, ELEAGUE, Dexerto, and other major esports platforms. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in esports, known for championing journalistic ethics, source verification, and accountability.
OverDrive (Aleksei Biryukov) is a former team manager, analyst, and scout who rose to prominence by sharing large volumes of insider information — from roster changes to transfers. His leaks often surface before official announcements, though their accuracy has occasionally been called into question.
How the Conflict Erupted
The situation escalated after yet another OverDrive report involving Virtus.pro. He claimed that FL1T and fame might be transferring to Parivision, and that FL1T had allegedly asked to be benched. The leak proved inaccurate, and for Richard Lewis, this was the last straw.
I tried to defend OverDrive. But how can you be wrong over and over again? Not a single leak comes true. It’s insanity.
From there, the debate became public. Lewis accused OverDrive of being “a Spirit employee leaking info about his own players”, calling it “nightmarish behavior” and “a breach of confidentiality.” He also questioned why OverDrive hadn’t been fired yet.
OverDrive Responds: “I’m Not a Journalist”
OverDrive didn’t deny his independence:
I’m not a journalist and I never will be. I post leaks at my own discretion for my own channel. We had agreed to not go after each other.
He suggested that Lewis had broken a prior agreement — a supposed pact not to target one another publicly. Later, he even insinuated that Lewis might be acting on someone’s orders:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Petrosyan is paying Lewis to go after me. Otherwise, why would he keep talking nonsense after we agreed to stay out of each other’s way?
Journalism vs Leaking
At the heart of the feud lies a deeper debate: ethics and approach to information. Richard Lewis stands for verification, reliability, and journalistic standards. OverDrive, meanwhile, shares leaks based on his own sources, without waiting for formal confirmations.
Lewis believes OverDrive’s methods damage the credibility of esports media by spreading misinformation. Aleksei counters that he’s not a media outlet — just a personal channel where he shares what he knows.
The Climax: A Rift with Spirit?
The most dramatic moment came when Lewis questioned the professionalism of Team Spirit for allegedly allowing OverDrive to publish internal information. The tipping point was a leaked transfer — kyousuke’s reported $2 million move, which OverDrive mentioned weeks ahead of time.
Dude, you work for Spirit. This isn’t even a leak — it’s a straight-up breach of confidentiality.
This sparked massive debate in the community. Many believe such openness could harm organizations and potentially lead to legal consequences.
Community Reaction and Fallout
The scandal went beyond personal insults. The community split into two camps:
- Some support OverDrive, calling him the “people’s insider” who gives fans the scoops they crave.
- Others back Lewis, citing his dedication to truth, accuracy, and responsibility.
The situation exploded with memes, reposts, sarcastic comments, and even speculation about potential lawsuits — turning the feud into one of the most talked-about stories in esports in 2025.
As of early July 2025, the conflict shows no signs of stopping. Both parties are holding firm. Comment sections joke: “Just marry each other already” or “This drama needs its own movie.” Whether they reconcile or this feud goes down in esports history as a clash between old-school journalism and the new wave of leak culture — only time will tell.
