European Challenger Squad Inspire Esports Loses Four Members After Failing to Qualify for LCS
The European Challenger squad, Inspire Esports, has lost four members after failing to qualify for the League Championship Series (LCS) just four days ago.
Formation of the Team
Inspire Esports was formed at the end of December last year with the intention of competing in the LCS. However, they lost to Team Huma in the Challenger Series playoff semifinals, missing their chance to secure a spot in the LCS. As a result, four of their members, Nubar “Maxlore” Sarafian, Sofyan “CozQ” Rechchad, Paweł “Woolite” Pruski, and Daniel Ernst “Wendelbo” Wendelbo, have decided not to renew their contracts with the organization and have become free agents.
Remaining Member
The only remaining member of the squad, top laner Max “Satorius” Günther, has not yet revealed his availability for potential opportunities.
Future Plans
Inspire Esports general manager Michael “Michai” Schorr stated that the organization is looking into budgeting for the next season and exploring options for the next split. While they are in touch with their former players, they are also free to explore other opportunities. The possibility of fielding the same or a similar roster in the next split is not ruled out.
Season Performance
Inspire Esports had a successful season in the European Challenger Series, finishing in second place in the regular season. However, they ended up in third-fourth place in the playoffs and had to requalify for the Challenger Series after losing to Team Huma.
The Origins of the Team
Inspire Esports was originally built from Denial Esports’ League of Legends squad, many of whom were allegedly owed payments by the organization. After requalifying automatically, Rechchad, Pruski, and Wendelbo retained their spots under Riot Games’ three-fifths rule and joined the new organization, Inspire Esports. Sarafian and Günther were later added to the team.
Uncertain Future
It is unclear what will happen to the spot now. The organization will need to reconcile with its players or risk losing the spot, which would then be open to qualification in the offseason.
Photo via Riot Games/Flickr (All rights reserved, used with permission)
esports news, Challenger squad, Inspire Esports, League Championship Series, LCS, roster changes, free agency, European Challenger Series, Team Huma, requalification, Denial Esports, Riot Games