I know that Momo has links to Relic at least from ESL but it's quite simple, Paula is not on Relic's good books.
Barton & Price did make us look like fools, but at the same time they made us learn early on in the series that we needed to check more carefully for this kind of trolling. It was unfortunate but Barton and Price don't aggressively flame Relic to my knowledge. They are critical but in a good mannered way.
A_E was so riled up about it... it was frustrating
I just want to say that you two did an unreal job with ESL and I know our toxic community was incredibly proud and appreciative of the job you two did.
Paula is not on relics good books? Is there some sort of explanation to this? Like some sort of naughty/nice Santa Christmas list? Relic, nor their employees should not be that thin-skinned, imo. If you are in the public eye and people are critical of you - that's doesn't necessarily translate into them not liking you (nor should it matter). We can be tough on relic and want the best for the game and overall experience. We as paying customers (even milked customers to a degree) reserve the right to voice their opinion regardless of the severity of the opinion.