LCS to return following agreement between Riot Games, LCSPA and teams

Following an agreement between Riot Games, the LCSPA and the teams that make up the LCS, the delayed 2023 LCS Summer Split is set to return on June 14th.

The 2023 LCS Summer Split has been postponed for two weeks following the league’s players association, the LCSPA, voting in favour of a player walkout.

The walkout was proposed by players after Riot Games’ decision to allow LCS organisations to withdraw from their previously mandatory tier 2 league – the NACL. Seven out of the ten LCS organisations did choose to withdraw following this initial announcement.

Discussions between the three parties has resulted in the NACL league to be resumed, but with a new business model attached in an attempt to make it appear more to the organisations.

The initial commitment of $300,000 (⁓£240,000) will be supplemented, with a revenue-sharing system between the tournament operator and participating teams. The LCSPA said that 50% of all NACL sponsorship revenue will now be shared with teams.

Whilst Riot Games said in its announcement that this would “drive towards long-term sustainability” to the league and the organisations that comprise it, there are also a number of other assurances introduced in the agreement that will benefit NACL players to protect them within the professional League of Legends infrastructure.

In a statement, the LCSPA commented:

“Concessions were made by Riot and teams to ensure a more sustainable NACL future and a more equitable voice for players in their workplace… Today’s announcement proves the importance of giving players a meaningful seat at the table.

While the agreements fall short of our initially stated goals, Riot has agreed to a series of important changes and committed to meaningful collaboration with the LCSPA before making future decisions.”

Naz Aletaha, Global Head of LoL Esports, additionally said:

“Delaying Summer Split was not a decision we took lightly, but ultimately the dialogue between the league, the LCSPA, and teams provided the space to realign on shared goals for the future of the LCS and NACL.

Building for the long-term sustainability and success of the LCS ecosystem is the win-condition for us all. We want to thank the LCS fans, players, and teams for their patience during this period and look forward to seeing players back on the LCS stage next week.”

Hopefully this will see more stability in the North American League of Legends pro scene, as well as lead to more event promotion to see more viewers watching the tier 2 league.

LCS matches this Summer will now resume on the 14th of June and will be played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Our first game coming back onto the Rift will see NRG taking on TSM.