LoL: The EU LCS becomes the ten-team franchised LEC

Since 2013 European League of Legends fans have cheered for their favourite teams competing in the European League Championship Series (LCS). From now on, they will be watching the re-branded League European Championship (LEC).

I love the look of the new brand and it makes it visually distinct from the North American LCS. Following on from the NA LCS introducing franchising, the inaugural split of the LEC will be franchised also. The teams that will be competing are: Fnatic, Schalke 04, G2 Esports, Misfits Gaming, Origen, Excel Esports, Rogue, SK Gaming, Splyce and Team Vitality.

In European sport we are less familiar with the franchise model, and it comes with its own range of pros and cons. Beginning with the pros; teams will be more willing to try out new players and new combinations of players. Without the fear of relegation forcing teams to try and put out the best each game, there is now space to develop. Teams may be more willing to pick up local players, instead of spend big for imports who may in the short team keep them out of relegation. We need look no further that Worlds 2018 Quarter finalists Cloud 9 for an example of how well this can work.

It also provides a safer investment for anyone looking to invest in esports. Sponsorship now comes with stable, guaranteed exposure without the threat of relegation. That environment could breed huge deals which would boost the money in the scene attracting more talented people, more exposure, more legitimacy as big brands get involved etc. Franchising and revenue sharing also helps the organisations to profit and boost player salaries and welfare.

However it is a different league structure and there are disadvantages that come with it too. It’s undeniable that there is less excitement and interest in the bottom half of the league. Relegation and promotion is exciting, it means teams getting kicked out and new teams earning their place. Every game is important, with teams needing to secure their destiny for the year ahead. Franchising removes that, these ten teams are here this year, and they’ll be here next year.

Apologies to Excel Esports for using them as an example, but if they are in last place in the league, I won’t be watching their games between 10th and 9th place. The previous model was book-ended nicely with the playoff race and the avoid relegation race, now we have half that excitement.

Riot have done well to invest in tournaments like EU Masters. Challenger Series tournaments are a bit pointless now without the prize of LCS Promotion. EU Masters gives European league of legends a “B” Tier competition that can generate it’s own excitement, and a breeding ground for new players to test themselves to maybe be picked up by LCS Orgs.

On a personal note I’m incredibly happy to see Origen back in the top-tier of European League of Legends. I watched them rise from Challenger Series to dominate LCS to dominate the play-ins and reach the Worlds Semi-Finals. I also attended EU Masters and got to cheer while they lifted the trophy. GLHF!