Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses are set to exit the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), allowing their former players to explore new opportunities during the current offseason.
This downsizing comes shortly after the LCS achieved record-breaking viewership in the 2023 World Championship finals.
The departure of Golden Guardians and EG raises questions about potential changes to the LCS format and whether other organizations will step up to claim spots in the franchised league.
Riot’s president of esports, John Needham, disclosed that both organizations had the option to terminate their “team participating agreements” (TPA) and settle with Riot, with the transactions being recently finalized.
Golden Guardians, owned by the Golden State Warriors, opted to redirect resources toward traditional sports, specifically basketball.
On the other hand, EG faced financial struggles, compelling the organization to withdraw from LCS participation.
As a result, Riot is now tasked with considering the future of the LCS.
Riot has been expediting settlements with these organizations to enable players to potentially join other teams before the 2024 season kicks off.
However, the staff behind the scenes are left to navigate their next steps independently.
Riot’s Needham emphasized the challenge, stating, “They are employees of different organizations. There��s no way for us to really intercede and do anything for those people, sadly.”
LCS fans now face the reality of a smaller league in the 2024 season, with Riot expected to disclose its plans for the future early next year.
Both Golden Guardians and EG players and staff find themselves caught off guard by the sudden news.
Top laner Eric ��Licorice�� Ritchie expressed his uncertainty about the future, having planned to play for Golden Guardians in 2024.
I received the news this morning that GG won��t be a part of the LCS next year
My plan for next year was to play for GG again so as of right now I don��t have a team and will likely not be a starter in the LCS next year, since remaining teams have all locked top laners afaik
— Licorice (@Licorice) November 20, 2023
Kelsey Moser, the head of EG League coaching staff, voiced disappointment in the timing of the news, as very few were aware before the weekend.
The late announcement poses challenges for players seeking opportunities in the upcoming season, especially given that the official news coincided with the opening of the free agency window.
The League of Legends Championship Series Players Association (LCSPA) expressed dissatisfaction with Riot’s “11th hour” decision, stating that it has cost jobs for 20 percent of the league overnight.
While acknowledging frustrations with communication and the lack of time for affected players to find new opportunities, the LCSPA sees the removal of struggling organizations as a net benefit.
The association emphasized the importance of player voices in shaping the future of the LCS.
The LCSPA had demonstrated its influence earlier in the year when Riot unexpectedly removed the requirement for LCS teams to field Academy rosters.
In response, the association voted for a walkout during the opening games of the Summer Split, forcing Riot to postpone the games and reconsider its decision.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this marks an inflection point for the LCSPA and if they will take further action in response to the recent changes in the LCS landscape.
Statement from the LCSPA https://t.co/RK302gkUOE pic.twitter.com/LhDiIqOfWB
— LCS Players Association (@NALCSPA) November 20, 2023
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The #LCS returns next Wednesday, June 14th at 2PM PT / 5PM ET!
Read: https://t.co/0k1yZoWyOY pic.twitter.com/p1684BCv09
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) June 9, 2023
Riot Games postponed the 2023 LCS Summer split for two weeks after the LCSPA (Legends Championship Series Players Association) prepared to walk-out on the opening day of the season on June 1, which left all 10 of the LCS teams without a roster to compete with.
Over the last week, the LCSPA, LCS and Riot have been in constant communication to attempt to work out an agreement that satisfies all parties.
After giving Riot no other solution other than to postpone the summer split, the LCSPA made it known that they would not be shirking from the stance.
Meanwhile, Riot put the LCS and LCSPA on notice, and said that if no agreement was reached by the end of the two weeks, they would have no qualms in cancelling the LCS Summer split altogether.
Thankfully for the players, organisations and League of Legends fans across North America, the LCS Summer split will go ahead, and we will see three NA teams qualify for LoL World Championship at the end of the year.
Due to the delay, LCS fans will get an extra day of action every week, as their will be matches on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, instead of just Thursdays and Fridays.
The details of what terms were agreed to have been made public, with the LCSPA twitter posting a press release with all the details.
LCSPA, Riot, and LCS teams agree on terms to resume 2023 LCS season – talks to continue on unresolved issues pic.twitter.com/xodN7XABie
— LCS Players Association (@NALCSPA) June 9, 2023
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This is due to the new rule that states LoL Championship Series organizations no longer have to field a tier-two team in the North American Challenger League (NACL).
The decision was made in mid-May �C less than a month out from the 2023 Summer NACL split �C with no plan or warning, catching all parties off guard.
Seven of the 10 LCS teams subsequently dissolved their NACL rosters, leaving many players, coaches and managers without a job.
The message from the LCSPA in response to the rule change is quite simple.
��We must protect the NACL today to ensure any future for the LCS tomorrow,�� the press release read.
��To put the magnitude of the decision in context: over 50% of current LCS pros came up through the NACL/Academy system.��
Further on, the release reads: ��Europe has a thriving ERL system and the LCK and LPL maintain robust Challenger rosters and leagues. By comparison, North America now has a developmental product with no viewership, no institutional support, no paying jobs, and no future.��
Since the release of the statement two weeks ago, there has been no resolution or agreement made between Riot and the LCSPA, pushing the association to take action.
— LCS Players Association (@NALCSPA) May 29, 2023
On Sunday, May 28, all 50 LCS players voted on whether to stage a walkout from the league – a measure which ��overwhelmingly passed��.
As such, every LCS team has been left without a complete roster for the opening day of the split, which was scheduled for Thursday, June 1.
Riot tried to apply a ‘band-aid’ fix by allowing all 10 of the organizations to go out and find any number of players from lower leagues or even collegiate competitions to fill their rosters for the opening day.
LCS outfits were reportedly reaching out to collegiate teams to see if they could sign their rosters; however, those squads stood with their pro peers and declined all offers, leaving Riot with no other option but to delay the start of the split for two weeks.
This delay of a major League of Legends tournament due to industrial action is a landmark moment for not only competitive LoL, but also esports as a whole.
With the LCS now postponed and the LCSPA not budging on its proposals, we could see a lengthy delay unless Riot is willing to meet some of the players’ demands.
What the LCSPA want from Riot
