Riot Games earlier this year announced the new unified League of Legends Americas competition with many but two LCS teams choosing not to be part of the new competition. Immortals and NRG are the North American organizations that have locked in their decision to make way.
IGC-owned Immortals has been showing some languid demeanour since their return to League competition in 2019 and thus doesn’t make their decision too surprising but NRG’s decision is more shocking.
The organization recently acquired the Counter Logic Gaming division which got them the LCS slot in 2023, but some movements behind the scenes points to the possibility of Nadeshot’s 100 Thieves set to be move in.
Initially reported on Tuesday, 100T are part of the six LCS teams that will be a part of the Americas competition. The others are Cloud9, Dignitas, Shopify Rebellion, 2024 World Championship representatives Team Liquid and newly-crowned NA champions FlyQuest.
It doesn’t indicate that 100 Thieves have a leeway into the 2025 Americas League, as they are still trying to restructure, meaning that its League slot is on the table for sale. However, C9, FlyQuest, Liquid, and Shopify Rebellion are all fully embracing the new setup.
Meanwhile, Dignitas’ decision to retain a League spot ahead of the Americas unification is surprising to fans but from a financial point of view, it makes sense and it’s not surprising as the 20-year-old org is owned by Harris Blitzer Sports. Asides DIG, the company also owns NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils (NHL), and a minority stake in NASCAR team Joe Gibbs Racing.
Some teams were evidently not going to move, and their fans can be assured, at least for now, but Riot will still formally announce the teams that will be participants in 2025, and until then, a lot of shuffle could happen in America.
