{"id":33217,"date":"2023-11-20T18:58:51","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T23:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/?p=33217"},"modified":"2023-11-20T18:58:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T23:58:51","slug":"league-of-legends-championship-series-downsizes-from-10-to-eight-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/league-of-legends-championship-series-downsizes-from-10-to-eight-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"League Of Legends Championship Series downsizes from 10 to eight teams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Riot Games has officially confirmed recent rumours about the North American League of Legends<\/a> league downsizing from 10 to eight teams for the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses are set to exit the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS)<\/a>, allowing their former players to explore new opportunities during the current offseason.<\/p>\n

This downsizing comes shortly after the LCS achieved record-breaking viewership in the 2023 World Championship finals.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Golden Guardians, owned by the Golden State Warriors, opted to redirect resources toward traditional sports, specifically basketball.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, EG faced financial struggles, compelling the organization to withdraw from LCS participation.<\/p>\n

As a result, Riot is now tasked with considering the future of the LCS.<\/p>\n

Riot has been expediting settlements with these organizations to enable players to potentially join other teams before the 2024 season kicks off.<\/p>\n

However, the staff behind the scenes are left to navigate their next steps independently.<\/p>\n

Riot’s Needham emphasized the challenge, stating, “They are employees of different organizations. There\u2019s no way for us to really intercede and do anything for those people, sadly.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Both Golden Guardians and EG players and staff find themselves caught off guard by the sudden news.<\/p>\n

Top laner Eric \u201cLicorice\u201d Ritchie expressed his uncertainty about the future, having planned to play for Golden Guardians in 2024.<\/p>\n

\n

I received the news this morning that GG won\u2019t be a part of the LCS next year<\/p>\n

My plan for next year was to play for GG again so as of right now I don\u2019t have a team and will likely not be a starter in the LCS next year, since remaining teams have all locked top laners afaik<\/p>\n

— Licorice (@Licorice) November 20, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n