On the eve of the greatest event on the League of Legends competitive calendar, it has actually been reported that the North American League Champion Series is set to scale down following an expected conference in between Riot Games and group owners.
League character Michael “Veteran” Archer claims the conference was held perhaps as just recently as today where Riot heads and LCS group owners “drifted the concept of lowering [the league] from 10 groups to 8.” A choice on how the league will be run is anticipated as early as this Monday, Veteran stated.
I now have sufficient verification from several sources that I’m positive the following is genuine, and I have actually pertained to the conclusion that every day additional counts, so it deserves tweeting.
Riot held an owners satisfying where they drifted the concept of decreasing LCS from 10 groups to 8 …
— Veteran (@VeteranEU) November 18, 2023
Veteran and his sources think 2 present LCS groups will run out the franchised league before the next split starts in early 2024. The unexpected news comes as the area stays in the throes of a significant lineup shuffle9 of the league’s 10 groups will currently look really various in 2023 with Golden Guardians the only group not to have actually made a main modification yet– which has actually led lots of to think it might be among the 2 groups out of the league.
Others have actually hypothesized Evil Geniuses are likewise presumed of leaving the LCS after months of downsizing esports operations at the company. At this phase, nevertheless, no group has actually formally verified their withdrawal from the league or acknowledged the reports.
All 10 LCS groups have gamers or personnel on the payroll for 2024 at this time, implying
Veteran thinks the conference was kept in between Riot and group ownership, indicating the bulk of the LCS playing group, in addition to other assistance personnel, would be uninformed of the possible downsizing and as such, might have their work impacted. “I chose to tweet this so individuals understand that their task arrangements with an LCS group presently have a big asterisk,” Veteran included.
“I simply wish to make certain there isn’t a scenario where someone is selecting tasks ASAP and makes a bad option. I’ve been that guy who got fucked over on the day of a choice, and this off-season is at a crucial point today. If this assists one or 2 individuals, I believe it was worth [it]”
The reports come at an important point for the LCS. While viewership was down throughout the board for local leagues in 2023, the North American league was struck hardest and has actually had a hard time to draw in eyes to the item for a variety of seasons.
Must 2 groups run out the LCS, 2024’s opening split will be the very first season in over a years to include less than 10 groups. Some have actually hypothesized Riot might be thinking about a combine with South America comparable to that seen in sibling title VALORANTwhile more are hoping the last 2 slots can be filled with the leading NA Challenger teams– suggesting a go back to a promotion-relegation system for the area.
We’ll likely understand more in the coming days after the conclusion of Worlds 2023, with Veteran declaring the outcome of the conference will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 20.
Dot Esports has actually connected to Riot Games however has actually not gotten a reaction prior to this post’s publishing.
