Another team is reportedly leaving LCS

TL;DR

  • Second LCS team reportedly sold slot following TSM’s confirmed departure
  • Immortals emerges as primary suspect due to recent staff and player departures
  • LCS structural changes removing academy requirements sparked player walkout
  • Industry insiders suggest smaller organizations struggling financially
  • North American League of Legends scene undergoing significant transformation

Week 2 of 2023 LCS Summer Playoffs at the Riot Games Arena on August 3, 2023.

The North American League of Legends Championship Series faces another major organizational shakeup as industry insiders reveal a second team has sold its competitive slot. This development follows TSM’s official departure announcement earlier this year, signaling potential instability within the region’s premier esports league.

During a recent broadcast of the Facecheck League of Legends podcast featuring prominent content creators Daniel “dGon” Gonzales, Christian “IWillDominate” Rivera, and Nick “LS” De Cesare, the bombshell revelation emerged that an unidentified organization has exited the LCS. The timing aligns with broader industry trends affecting North American esports franchises.

“When discussing potential team sales with LS, the circulating rumor indicates one organization has already completed their slot transaction,” dGon disclosed during the discussion. “The deal appears finalized, with public announcement timing being the only remaining variable.”


What’s next for LCS?

While dGon refrained from naming the departing organization, fellow commentator LS expressed his preference for Immortals to be the team exiting the league. This sentiment reflects broader community perceptions about organizational performance and sustainability.

The identity of the departing LCS participant will likely surface in the near future. “I’m satisfied with which organization is departing,” dGon commented, suggesting the exit involves one of the region’s smaller franchises, potentially Dignitas or Immortals. However, these remain unconfirmed theories pending official statements.

League community analysts have intensified speculation about Immortals’ potential exit following the organization’s separation from former jungler Shane “Kenvi” Espinoza and three coaching staff members last month: Mervin-Angelo “Dayos” Lachica, Richard “Draxyr” Yuan, and Jake “Xmithie” Puchero. Such personnel reductions often precede major organizational changes in competitive esports.


The most recent competitive Split within the LCS encountered significant controversy after league administrators eliminated the mandate requiring teams to maintain academy rosters. This policy shift prompted multiple organizations including Cloud9, Dignitas, Immortals, TSM, and others to terminate their developmental programs, fundamentally altering the North American talent pipeline.

This structural modification triggered a player-organized work stoppage in late May that disrupted the season’s scheduled commencement. Despite the collective action, the protest failed to reverse the league’s decision, with competitive play resuming shortly thereafter under the new framework.

The academy system removal represents a strategic cost-cutting measure that may disproportionately affect smaller-budget organizations. Teams with limited financial resources often rely on developing and trading academy talent as part of their operational sustainability strategy. The loss of this development pathway could accelerate consolidation within the league.

These organizational departures and structural changes signal a potential transformation period for North American League of Legends. The region has historically struggled to compete internationally, and these developments may further impact the competitive landscape.

For viewers and fans, the reduced number of teams could mean fewer matchups and potentially less diverse competition. However, it might also lead to more financially stable remaining organizations with greater resources for player development and competitive performance.

Industry analysts suggest monitoring several key indicators: viewership numbers following these changes, competitive performance in international tournaments, and whether new organizations emerge to fill the vacated slots. The health of any competitive league depends on balancing financial sustainability with competitive integrity and fan engagement.

Action Checklist

  • Monitor official LCS announcements for team departure confirmations
  • Track roster changes and staff departures across all LCS organizations
  • Analyze viewership metrics and engagement patterns post-changes
  • Compare NA competitive performance in upcoming international tournaments

No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Another team is reportedly leaving LCS Breaking down the latest LCS team departure rumors and what it means for North American League of Legends esports