The 2023 LCS Summer Split Delayed Amidst Walkout by North American League of Legends Players
The North American League of Legends scene has reached an impasse as Riot Games announced a two-week delay for the 2023 LCS Summer Split. This decision comes in response to an ongoing walkout, with players from all teams stepping down from their positions as starters to show solidarity with their peers.
Significant Collective Action in Esports History
This delay is a significant moment in both competitive League of Legends history and the esports industry as a whole. It marks one of the first major acts of collective action within the industry.
The Reason Behind the Walkout
The LCS Players’ Association called for the walkout after the NA league removed the requirement for LCS organizations to field tier-two rosters in the Challengers League. This decision prompted a vote among all 50 LCS players, which overwhelmingly passed, leading to the compromise of the opening day with no teams able to field a roster.
Riot’s Attempts to Resolve the Situation
Riot made efforts to salvage the opening day by removing the ranked restriction for the league, allowing players of any League rank to participate. In addition, LCS organizations reached out to collegiate teams as a temporary solution, but these teams rejected the offers to stand in solidarity with the walkout.
With the league currently in limbo, LCS fans can only wait for Riot and the LCSPA to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.
North American League of Legends, walkout, 2023 LCS Summer Split, Riot Games, collective action, LCS Players’ Association, Challengers League, collegiate teams, esports industry, compromise