Teams in Talks with VALORANT Developer Riot Games for Next Year’s Partnership System
According to multiple sources, several prominent teams from around the world have been in contact with Riot Games, the developer of VALORANT, regarding the partnership system for next year. A meeting was hosted by Riot on Monday, May 23, where team owners and managers had the opportunity to ask questions about the partnership system. However, all information, including documents, is strictly under a non-disclosure agreement by Riot.
Invitations and Application Process for Partnering with Riot in VALORANT
Based on information from sources, it is believed that the North American, Brazilian, and Latin American leagues will directly invite eight to 10 teams to participate in the league next year. The European and Asian leagues are expected to have a similar number of slots. Teams will have the opportunity to apply for an invitation to partner with Riot in VALORANT in the coming months.
Financial Considerations for Partnering with Riot in VALORANT
Sources indicate that the stipend provided to partnered teams will be in the six figures. However, this may not be sufficient as many top teams already pay their players high salaries. According to sources, several teams have operating costs in the seven figures.
Similarities to Riot’s Franchised Leagues in League of Legends
The initial details of the partnership system in VALORANT resemble Riot’s franchised leagues in League of Legends. Both the LEC and the LCS, for instance, offer 10 spots for teams and provide opportunities to qualify for the highly anticipated League World Championship. In VALORANT, these leagues will serve as pathways to international tournaments such as Masters and Champions.
The partnership system, announced by Riot on April 28, will be introduced in 2023 with three international leagues. These leagues will be held on LAN with live audiences, provided that health and safety guidelines are met. North American teams will be paired with teams from Latin America and Brazil, while European, Russian, Turkish, and MENA teams will form the second league. The third league will consist of teams from Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan, South Asia, and Oceania.
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