TL;DR
- Crownshot announced he won’t play in LEC/LCS for 2021 despite strong 2020 performance
- SK Gaming replaced him with rookie Jezu as part of broader youth movement strategy
- Multiple established players including FEBIVEN, LIDER, and potentially Nemesis face unemployment
- LEC organizations increasingly favor unproven rookies over experienced veterans
- Community advocates for LEC expansion to 12 teams to accommodate more talent
Juš “Crownshot” Marušič, previously SK Gaming’s starting bot laner, confirmed via social media that he won’t secure a position in either major Western league for the upcoming competitive year.
The Slovenian marksman becomes another high-profile casualty of the 2021 offseason roster shuffle. After two productive seasons with SK Gaming following his promotion from MAD Lions in Spain’s regional circuit, Crownshot established himself as the team’s primary carry threat. Despite his individual excellence, the organization consistently struggled to achieve meaningful results within Europe’s premier competition.
It seems that I will unfortunately not be playing in the LEC /LCS next split.
Will keep you guys updated on what I plan to do in the future, I felt like I finally showed people this past year what Im capable of and Im eager to prove myself again in the future. I’ll be back.— Crownshot (@CrownshotLoL) November 19, 2020
SK’s revamped lineup will feature Jean “Jezu” Massol, another emerging talent from Misfits Premier, paired with ex-TSM support specialist Erik “Treatz” Wessén. This German organization leads LEC teams in offseason transformations, completely rebuilding with four fresh-faced competitors.
The esports community expressed genuine surprise that no LEC or LCS franchise secured Crownshot’s services. Beyond his mechanical prowess, he cultivated substantial community presence through regular appearances on Nick “LS” Cesare’s popular streams throughout 2020, building his personal brand via Twitch platforms.
Current speculation suggests Crownshot will explore opportunities in Europe’s secondary leagues, using them as platforms to demonstrate his continued relevance and eventually reclaim LEC status. His recent streaming activity suggests potential content creation career development.
Professional gamers facing unemployment often struggle with timing their market entry – approaching teams too early risks lowball offers, while waiting too long misses roster slots. Understanding optimal class selection strategies in competitive gaming requires similar strategic timing awareness.
This situation highlights the delicate balance organizations strike between developing untested prospects and leveraging veteran experience. Teams increasingly prioritize long-term growth potential over immediate proven performance, creating challenging career transitions for established competitors.
Talented players are missing out on LEC and LCS spots for 2021
This offseason has witnessed multiple accomplished players struggling to find organizational homes. Mid lane specialists Fabian “FEBIVEN” Diepstraten and Adam “LIDER” Ilyasov confirmed their unemployment status, while former Fnatic standout Tim “Nemesis” Lipovšek potentially joins this growing list.
The growing free agent pool has sparked community debate about LEC franchise roster construction philosophies. While promising newcomers receive opportunities, some seasoned professionals find themselves unexpectedly sidelined. This dynamic partially explains why European competitors increasingly explore North American opportunities, where LEC proven talent often commands premium value.
Many community members now advocate expanding the LEC to twelve competing organizations, creating additional roster positions for the region’s deep talent pool. Just as mastering weapon unlock systems requires understanding game mechanics, navigating esports employment demands comprehension of market economics.
Understanding these market forces is crucial for aspiring professionals. Our comprehensive gameplay guide covers similar strategic decision-making frameworks applicable across competitive gaming domains.
The LEC’s 2021 spring split competition resumes early next year with these roster questions remaining unresolved.
Action Checklist
- Monitor secondary league opportunities as potential stepping stones
- Develop content creation presence to maintain visibility during unemployment periods
- Analyze organization roster patterns to identify potential fits
- Network with industry contacts while maintaining professional reputation
- Consider regional league opportunities to demonstrate continued competitive form
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Crownshot won’t be playing in LEC or LCS in the 2021 season Analyzing why established League of Legends pros like Crownshot are missing LEC/LCS spots in 2021 offseason