NA LC Franchised League: Team Roster Finalized
The teams for the North American League of Legends Championship (NA LC) franchised league have been determined. According to ESPN, the Houston Rockets have emerged as the tenth team to join the league.
The final roster includes well-known teams like TSM, C9, CLG, and Team Liquid, along with OpTic Gaming, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Lacob family (owners of the Golden State Warriors).
This decision by Riot demonstrates their interest in partnering with NBA teams. The NBA has shown a stronger focus on digital revenue and online viewing as compared to other traditional sports leagues.
Similar to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Rockets have become direct investors in the league. Additionally, owners of the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks have also had their applications accepted.
The Rockets’ venture into esports began when they hired Sebastian Park, former Team Archon co-owner, to explore esports opportunities. This move has now paid off with a coveted spot in the LCS.
While Riot had planned to announce the results of the franchising process in mid-November, the information was leaked before any official confirmation. Riot has declined to comment on the reports due to ongoing applications and non-disclosure agreements.