On the eve of the most important celebration on the League of Legends aggressive calendar, it has been reported that the North American League Championship Sequence is about to downsize following a supposed assembly between Riot Video games and staff homeowners.
League persona Michael “Veteran” Archer claims the meeting was held possibly as recently as this week the place Riot heads and LCS staff homeowners “floated the concept of decreasing [the league] from 10 groups to eight.” A call on how the league will likely be operated is predicted as early as this Monday, Veteran mentioned.
Veteran and his sources consider two present LCS groups will likely be out of the franchised league earlier than the following cut up begins in early 2024. The sudden information comes because the area stays within the throes of a major roster shuffle. 9 of the league’s 10 groups will already look very totally different in 2023 with Golden Guardians the one staff to not have made an official change as but—which has led many to consider it could be one of many two groups out of the league.
Others have speculated Evil Geniuses are additionally suspected of exiting the LCS after months of scaling again esports operations on the group. At this stage, nevertheless, no staff has formally confirmed their withdrawal from the league or acknowledged the rumors.
All 10 LCS groups have gamers or employees on the payroll for 2024 right now, that means
Veteran believes the assembly was saved between Riot and staff possession, that means the majority of the LCS enjoying group, in addition to different help employees, could be unaware of the potential downsizing and as such, might have their employment affected. “I made a decision to tweet this so individuals are conscious that their job agreements with an LCS staff presently have an enormous asterisk,” Veteran added.
“I simply wish to make sure that there isn’t a scenario the place someone is deciding on jobs ASAP and makes a nasty alternative. I’ve been that man who obtained fucked over on the day of a call, and this low season is at a essential level proper now. So if this helps one or two individuals, I feel it was value [it].”
The rumors come at a essential juncture for the LCS. Whereas viewership was down throughout the board for regional leagues in 2023, the North American league was hit hardest and has struggled to draw eyes to the product for numerous seasons.
Ought to two groups be out of the LCS, 2024’s opening cut up would be the first season in over a decade to function fewer than 10 groups. Some have speculated Riot could also be contemplating a merge with South America much like that seen in sister title VALORANT, whereas extra are hoping the ultimate two slots could be full of the highest NA Challenger squads—that means a return to a promotion-relegation system for the area.
We’ll seemingly know extra within the coming days after the conclusion of Worlds 2023, with Veteran claiming the results of the assembly will likely be made public on Monday, Nov. 20.
Dot Esports has reached out to Riot Video games however has not obtained a response previous to this text’s publishing.
