Maven and MerK, the longtime Call of Duty League casting duo, will no longer share the booth for now. On October 7, 2026, Clint “Maven” Evans said he is stepping away from the CDL for the foreseeable future. He also revealed he is in a relationship with the ex-wife of his casting partner, Joe “MerK” DeLuca.
Maven and MerK: Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is leaving? | Clint “Maven” Evans, CDL caster |
| Who is his casting partner? | Joe “MerK” DeLuca |
| When was it announced? | October 7, 2026, around 15:16 UTC |
| Where? | A post on Maven’s X account |
| Reason given | He is in a relationship with MerK’s ex-wife, which began after the divorce |
| How long is he away? | “For the foreseeable future” |
| Did the CDL ask him to leave? | Not stated |
| Has MerK commented? | Not at the time of writing |
| Has the CDL or Activision commented? | Not at the time of writing |
What Maven Said in His Statement
Maven explained the decision in his statement on X. He said he had been very close to MerK and his family, and that MerK’s ex-wife, Maurisa, was one of his best friends.
They stayed friends after the divorce. Over time, he said, the friendship became a relationship.
Key lines from the post:
- “I’ll be stepping away from the CDL for the foreseeable future.”
- “I understand how unconventional/taboo it is.”
- “It’s truly not something I ever foresaw happening.”
- “I hope that one day I’ll be back working on the CDL.”
- “Please continue to show support to Joe, the CDL, and its talent!”
He did not rule out a return. He also accepted that it might not happen, and thanked fans for “the love over the years.”
Who Are Maven and MerK?
Maven and MerK are among the most recognized voices in competitive Call of Duty. For years they called the biggest CDL matches together as a play-by-play and analyst pair.
Maven’s Liquipedia profile lists him as active since 2007. It credits him on every CWL Championship from 2016 to 2019 and every CDL Playoffs from 2020 to 2025.
The duo’s place on the broadcast has been tested before. In early 2022, contract talks kept them off the CDL Kickoff Classic and the Major 1 qualifiers. After strong fan pushback, the league confirmed their return in March 2022.
| Year | Maven and MerK milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 to 2019 | Maven casts every CWL Championship |
| 2020 | CDL launches. Maven casts the first CDL Playoffs |
| Early 2022 | The duo misses the Kickoff Classic over contract talks |
| March 2022 | The CDL confirms their return after fan backlash |
| 2025 | Maven casts the CDL Playoffs again |
| October 7, 2026 | Maven steps away from the CDL |
Did the CDL Remove Maven?
There is no public answer yet. Maven’s post does not say whether the decision was his alone or whether the league asked him to step aside.
Kotaku’s report also points out that the post leaves this question open. Insider Gaming called it unclear whether he left voluntarily or was pushed out over an awkward on-screen dynamic.
The Call of Duty League and Activision have not released a statement.
How MerK and the Community Reacted
MerK has not commented publicly so far. Kotaku reported that his X and Instagram accounts have received messages of support, along with mocking jokes.
The news trended on X within hours. CharlieIntel’s post spread it widely, and fans quickly started digging up old on-air moments between the two casters.
Maven’s own request was clear: he asked fans to keep supporting MerK and the rest of the CDL talent team.
What Happens Next for the CDL Broadcast
The league has not named a new partner for MerK. According to Insider Gaming, the next CDL season is not expected to start until mid-December, which gives the league time to plan.
Activision’s next yearly release is Modern Warfare 4, which launches October 23, 2026. The CDL usually moves to the new game each season, and Call of Duty has already changed how matchmaking works in the Modern Warfare 4 beta. The league has not confirmed its broadcast talent for the new season yet.
The Black Ops 7 competitive year ended with the Black Ops 7 event at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. That means Maven’s exit comes during the off-season, not mid-season. PC players getting ready for the new game can check the Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements ahead of launch.
| What we know | What we don’t know |
|---|---|
| Maven is away for the foreseeable future | Whether the CDL asked him to leave |
| He hopes to return one day | When or if he will return |
| The relationship began after the divorce | How MerK feels about it |
| The next CDL season is expected mid-December | Who will cast with MerK |
FAQ
Why did Maven leave the CDL?
Maven said he is stepping away from the Call of Duty League after revealing he is in a relationship with the ex-wife of his casting partner, MerK. He said the relationship began after their divorce. He did not say whether the CDL asked him to leave.
Is Maven leaving the CDL for good?
Not necessarily. Maven said he is stepping away “for the foreseeable future” and that he hopes to return to the CDL one day. He also accepted that a return might not happen. No timeline has been given.
Has MerK responded to Maven’s statement?
At the time of writing, MerK has not made a public statement. Reports say his social media accounts have received both supportive messages and jokes. Maven asked fans to keep supporting MerK and the rest of the CDL talent team.
Who will cast with MerK in the next CDL season?
The Call of Duty League has not announced a new partner for MerK. The next season is expected to start in mid-December, so the league has a few weeks to confirm its broadcast lineup.
