OpTic Gaming creator Anthony “Methodz” Zinni has revealed the stipulation in OpTic’s loan agreement with LA Thieves for Jeremiah “Nium” Harrison that could change everything for the Call of Duty League team.

Earlier in January, Esports.net reported that Nium, a player for OpTic’s Call of Duty Challengers team, Huntsmen, had agreed to a deal with LA Thieves to be a substitute player for them.

This came in a sudden U-turn after Nium had already agreed and signed a contract with Carolina Royal Ravens, slotting him straight into the starting roster to replace Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat, who announced his retirement unexpectedly on January 6, 2026.

Fortunately for him, OpTic hadn’t signed the loan agreement yet, allowing the move to Thieves to happen.

Sources: Nium is poised to join the LA Thieves after a last-minute U-turn on joining Carolina Royal Ravens.

While contracts were signed, the deal fell through right at the final hurdle.

Full details below pic.twitter.com/KiEIG3D8WY

— Jacob Hale (@JakeHaleee) January 6, 2026

However, Nium’s status as the LA Thieves substitute means that he won’t be officially on a CDL starting roster; instead, he will be waiting for his chance to play in the league. He might not have to wait long, however.

As explained by Methodz, who operates the Huntsmen and wider COD operations as a General Manager (even if not officially in title), the loan agreement between the two franchises means that Nium could be put in very soon.

That’s because, according to the agreement, if Nium isn’t moved into the LA Thieves starting roster within a few days of Major 1 at the end of January, he will be returned to OpTic and the Huntsmen, with Thieves losing their opportunity.

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Methodz explained that he was very clear with Nium that this could be the difference between playing in the pro league for the rest of the season, or not getting a shot at all, as there are no guarantees of more offers coming down the line.

He, as well as Seth “Scump” Abner, Marcus “MBoze” Blanks, and Hector “HECZ” Rodriguez, all agreed that taking Thieves’ offer was the better decision. If it works out, he immediately gets plugged into one of the best teams in the league and enters championship-winning territory – the dream for any aspiring pro.

If he does get moved into the starting roster, it is most likely to be in place of Kenneth “Kenny” Williams, a two-time world champion who has struggled somewhat in the last couple of seasons. No matter his form, that’s pretty big shoes to fill.