Jankos Struggles to Find New Team for 2023
After his team’s elimination from the 2022 World Championship, Jankos, the former G2 Esports jungler, has been open about his difficulties in securing a new team for the upcoming year.
Last week, the 27-year-old announced that he would enter the offseason as a free agent for the first time in five years. He also expressed his concerns about his high buyout price from G2, which has become a major obstacle in his contract negotiations.
Just yesterday, Jankos revealed that five European teams have withdrawn from contract talks due to the hefty buyout price. Despite this setback, he mentioned that he is in discussions with one or two other organizations, though they are still hesitant about the buyout price.
For North American fans hoping to see Jankos in the LCS, it seems unlikely as he and his agent have not been exploring opportunities in the region. If Jankos cannot find a team willing to pay his buyout, he may consider stepping back from professional play or joining a European Regional League.
This situation mirrors what happened with G2’s former LEC superstar AD carry Rekkles. Unable to find a team willing to meet his 1.5-million-euro buyout, Rekkles ended up playing in the LFL with Karmine Corp. Now, a year later, Rekkles is once again searching for a team.
Jankos needs to explore more options quickly if he wants to secure a spot on an LEC squad before the new year begins. The global League free agency period starts on Monday, Nov. 21.
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