LCS walkout vote leads to Summer Split delay

The League Championship Series (LCS), which is the top-tier professional League of Legends league in North America, and the LCS Players Association (LCSPA), which represents the North American League of Legends players, have “overwhelmingly” voted to walkout as a sign of protest against Riot Games’ recent updates made to the LCS amateur circuit. 

A recent change made by Riot Games has gotten rid of the rule that required LCS teams to field rosters in the North American Challengers League (NACL), which has led to several teams letting go of their NACL teams and firing the players and staff. 

The LCSPA has released a statement, which reads as follows: 

“This is not a decision the LCS players have come to lightly. Countless discussions and debates were had between all LCS players in the week leading to this historic vote. One thing is clear from those conversations – our players want to play and compete above all else. Joining hands to put competition aside is a testament to the significance and urgency of the issues at hand.

“We stand at this impasse because actions were taken by Riot without prior communication or discussion with the LCS players. The LCSPA sincerely hopes Riot will avert this walk out by joining us in the coming days to have open and transparent discussions so that we can forge collaborative solutions to ensure the best futures for the LCS and the NACL.“

The LCS walkout has led to the 2023 LCS Summer Split being delayed by two weeks.