League of Legends pros may go on strike over proposed rule changes
The League Championship Series is the top tier of professional League of Legends esports, and one of the biggest pro esports leagues in the world. But according to esports journalist Mikhail Klimentov, it could soon be facing a work stoppage, as the LCS Players Association is calling for a vote on a walkout.
The trouble began earlier this month when Riot announced that it will no longer require LCS teams to field a team in the North American Challengers League, a «developmental» league announced in 2022 made up of 10 former Academy teams—the previous developmental league—and six «Provisional Teams» made up of amateur players. It's basically a feeder league for the LCS, and each LCS team was required to field its own NACL team along with its main roster.
On May 12, however, Riot said it was dropping that requirement at the request of its LCS teams, «to support the continued, long-term success of the teams and the professional esports ecosystem in North America.»
«We remain committed to evolving the NA talent development pipeline,» Riot said in the rule change announcement. «We’ve been regularly taking steps to open opportunities for the thriving grassroots community through Proving Grounds Circuit in 2021, and the introduction of NACL Provisional Teams and the NACL Promotion Tournament this year. Our work here isn’t done, and we will continue throughout this season and beyond.» Riot also committed to running the NACL «for 2023 and beyond.»
But the League Championship Series Players Association took a very different perspective on the decision.
Riot's Lack of Commitment to the NACL: The LCSPA's Response pic.twitter.com/3IqhNKzkGAMay 12, 2023
«While the statement today was framed as a commitment to the NACL, the reality
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