On the eve of the biggest celebration on the League of Legends competitive calendar, reports have emerged suggesting that the North American League Championship Series (LCS) is planning to downsize. It is believed that Riot Games and LCS team owners recently held a meeting where the idea of reducing the league from 10 teams to eight was discussed. A decision on the league’s operation is expected to be announced as early as Monday.
According to sources, two current LCS teams are likely to be removed from the franchised league before the next split begins in early 2024. This news comes amidst a major roster shuffle in the region, with nine out of the 10 teams already undergoing significant changes. Speculation has arisen that Golden Guardians may be one of the teams exiting the league, as they have not made any official changes yet. There are also rumors surrounding Evil Geniuses, who have been scaling back their esports operations in recent months. However, no team has officially confirmed their withdrawal or addressed these rumors.
It is important to note that all 10 LCS teams currently have players and staff on their payroll for 2024. The meeting between Riot and team ownership was kept confidential, meaning the majority of LCS players and support staff may be unaware of the downsizing plans and could potentially be affected in terms of their employment.
In light of this situation, it is crucial for individuals involved with LCS teams to be aware of the uncertainty surrounding their job agreements. Veteran, a well-known League personality, decided to share this information to ensure that people are informed and can make informed decisions about their future. He emphasized the critical nature of the ongoing off-season and the need to avoid making hasty choices that could have negative consequences.
The downsizing rumors come at a challenging time for the LCS, as the league has been struggling to attract viewership for several seasons. If two teams are indeed removed from the LCS, the upcoming 2024 split will be the first season in over a decade to feature fewer than 10 teams. Some speculate that Riot may consider merging with South America, similar to what was done in their sister title VALORANT. Others hope that the vacant slots can be filled by the top NA Challenger squads, which would reintroduce a promotion-relegation system for the region.
More information is expected to be revealed in the coming days after the conclusion of Worlds 2023. Veteran claims that the outcome of the meeting will be made public on Monday, November 20. Dot Esports has reached out to Riot Games for comment but has not received a response at the time of publishing this article.
Source: DOTESPORTS
