LCSPA passes walkout vote ahead of LCS 2023 Summer

LoL Esports
May 30, 2023
Davide Xu
After Riot Games removed the requirement for LCS teams to run an Academy squad, the LCSPA passed a walkout vote that might delay the start of the Summer Split.

LCS walkout

Image Credits | Melissa Andres/Riot Games

LCSPA walkout vote is a testament to the “significance and urgency” of the issues in LCS

Riot initially canceled the rule making NACL rosters mandatory for each team on May 12, when all 10 LCS owners unanimously agreed to make the NACL an opt-in league system five days earlier.

This only left Team Liquid, Evil Geniuses, and FlyQuest retaining their NACL squads. The seven remaining orgs, including 100 Thieves, TSM, Immortals, Golden Guardians, Dignitas, NRG, and Cloud9 have all dropped the academy program.

In response, the LCSPA confirmed a walkout vote had passed on May 28. “This is not a decision LCS players have come to lightly,” the NA association’s statement read. “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.”

The LCSPA declared that the passed walkout vote was a testament to the “significance and urgency” of the issues in the NA league. The association complained about Riot’s lack of communication with the LCS players before making any official decisions and is hoping they are willing to open up a discussion in the coming days and find a “collaborative solution to ensure the best futures for the LCS and the NACL.”

While it’s not confirmed when the walkout would happen, it’s likely going to be on the LCS 2023 Summer Split’s opening day, which will be on Thursday, June 1. All 10 LCS teams are supposed to compete on that day, so there might be a chance the split is postponed to accommodate the discussions.

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LCSPA’s requests for the NACL

Earlier last week, the LCSPA made a list of requests for Riot to consider. Among them, the association asked for a relegation and promotion system between the LCS and NACL similar to the one used in VALORANT, giving tier-two rosters the chance to join the LCS, alongside incentives for participating teams, and a $300,000 revenue pool for each NACL team that would be spent on salaries.

Moreover, the LCSPA also asked for minimum contracts for the five players winning the NACL that will join the LCS the following year and institute a 3 out of 5 roster continuity rule to provide players on released NACL rosters first priority in maintaining their slots for the upcoming NACL season if a majority continue to compete alongside each other.

Updates prior to the start of the LCS Summer

Despite the walkout vote, Riot is trying to maintain the same broadcasting schedule, and teams have been looking to field scab players at the start of the season. The LCSPA has been asking publicly to not publicly agree with this solution and is demanding a discussion with Riot and find “a plan that everyone can support”.

Independent content creator Travis Gafford has also published a behind-the-scenes video, claiming that the games had to be played on Thursday and that teams that failed to do so would potentially be subject to fines or forfeiture but also extend the deadline by which teams could sign up subs to compete. He also mentioned on Hotline League that the minimum rank requirement will be lifted and that anyone can play in the LCS from anywhere on Thursday.

 

Read more: LCS 2023 Summer Split - All confirmed & rumored roster moves

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