Franchising vs. Promotion and Relegation: The Future of the LCS
American professional sports have always puzzled me. The franchising system, a key aspect of U.S. sports leagues, rewards mediocrity and penalizes success. This is in stark contrast to most European sports leagues, where promotion and relegation are common and organizations have little connection to the league.
Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends, is considering a shift towards franchising in the LCS. Currently, teams in the bottom of the league face automatic relegation to the Challenger Series. However, Riot has gradually shifted towards a model that still allows relegation but heavily favors teams already in the LCS. This system prevents the bottom of the standings from becoming more exciting, as relegation candidates remain the same season after season.
The Importance of Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and relegation add a vital element to competition: the fear of being demoted to a lower league. In the Premier League, three teams are relegated each year, creating intense matches and unforgettable moments. Leicester City’s remarkable journey from the Championship to Premier League champions in just two seasons is a testament to the impact of promotion and relegation.
Similarly, the LCS has seen its fair share of underdog stories. Teams like Cloud9, Origen, and G2 Esports have made a splash in their debut seasons, showcasing the potential for success through promotion and relegation. However, a move towards franchising would eliminate the possibility of these Cinderella stories, as teams would no longer have to fear relegation.
The Downsides of Franchising
Franchising may provide more stability and parity in the league, but it also punishes success. Many U.S. sports leagues, like the NFL and NBA, use drafts to assist struggling teams and balance out talent. While this creates excitement, it can also hinder teams that perform well by giving them worse chances in the draft.
Additionally, it’s easier to game the current system in the LCS. Some teams have made strategic roster changes to increase their chances of survival in the promotion tournament. Renegades and Team Dragon Knights even colluded by swapping players to improve their chances. These actions highlight the flaws in the system and the need for stricter rules and transfer windows.
The removal of automatic relegation enables mediocrity, as teams no longer have the same pressure to perform in the regular season. This ultimately affects the competitiveness of the league and the enjoyment of the spectators.
The Future of the LCS
Although it’s unlikely that automatic relegation will return to the LCS, many believe that franchising is a step in the wrong direction. Riot Games aims to protect investors and attract big names, but this comes at the expense of competition and the growth of aspiring challenger series talent. Money may talk, but it’s important to consider the long-term impact of this decision on the future of the LCS.
franchising, promotion and relegation, LCS, professional sports, mediocrity, success, stability, parity, drafts, competitiveness, underdog stories, future of the LCS, Riot Games, Premier League.