NLC Struggles to Secure Funding and Sponsors for 2023 Season
Riot Games recently announced a series of changes for the European League of Legends scene, including a name change for the region, new formats for the LEC, and a revamped ecosystem for tier two organizations. While these changes have generated excitement, one league is facing challenges in adapting: the NLC.
According to independent journalist Brieuc Seeger, NLC teams are finding it difficult to secure funding and sponsors for the upcoming 2023 season. Several major esports teams, such as Excel Esports and Dusty Esports, have already withdrawn from the league. Additionally, Bifrost has reportedly parted ways with all of its League of Legends staff, as reported by Seeger.
One of the main reasons for these difficulties is the unstable situation within the league. The NLC has been operating since 2020 and has featured the Academy teams of well-known European esports organizations like Excel Esports, Astralis, and Fnatic. However, due to financial struggles, the NLC had to downsize and is no longer an accredited league. Sponsors are now hesitant to fund the league, especially since the prize money and stipends have been significantly reduced from €200,000 to €45,000, as highlighted by Seeger.
The NLC has acknowledged these challenges and expressed the need to take a step back for 2023 in order to find an alternative path for the league’s future. The league will feature two splits, including a pro-am tournament called the Aurora Cup, and it is currently undecided whether there will be eight or ten competing teams based on feedback from the teams. However, the NLC may require significant assistance in the coming months to ensure its survival.