Riot Games published a response to the walkout vote done by the LCS Player Association earlier this week.
Naz Aletaha, Global Head of LoL Esports, responded to the weeks-long issue between the developer-publisher and the LCS Players Association. Breiuc Seeger, also known as "LEC Wooloo," has a comprehensive recap thread of everything that happened prior to Riot's response.
Moving on to Aletaha's response, she shared her thoughts regarding the walkout and the scheduling decisions that were made in turn.
"A top priority for us always is the fans. While last week we immediately put in place contingency plans to begin the LCS season on Thursday, we ultimately decided that it would not hold true to our values that Riot's esports offers our players and fans a showcase for the best competitive League of Legends," read the article. " Nothing but putting the best players in North America on the stage at Riot Games Arena is acceptable. So we informed LCSPA leadership today that we will delay the LCS season for the next two weeks."
Aletaha said that they hope this two-week window will be used for productive dialogue between all of the parties, and then resume the regular season. Riot Games will also not be applying penalties to teams who will not field their rosters during the two-week period.
However, if talks do not become conclusive and the season gets delayed further, it would "make it nearly impossible to run a legitimate competition, and we would be prepared to cancel the entire LCS summer season," said Aletaha. "If the LCS summer season is canceled, this will also eliminate LCS teams qualifying for 2023 Worlds. I want to be clear: That is not an outcome we'd want, but it's unfortunately the reality of ensuring we run a fair, competitive global system."
Riot's Support to the LCS and the development system
"The LCS has always been a flagship league for LoL Esports and we care deeply about it. We know that everyone in the ecosystem, from the players to the teams to Riot to everyone behind the scenes making each week possible and so many others, all share the same goals for the LCS. We need an LCS that is thrilling to watch and showcases the highest levels of League of Legends play."
Apart from reiterating Riot's "belief" in the LCS, Aletaha also commented on the teams' needs for economic sustainability - one of the facets they used to justify the action that began this massive domino effect - and how they have been working towards meeting said needs.
Riot has also provided $300,000 to "jump-start" the 2023 NACL season next week as a testament to their support for the Tier 2 developmental league.
Riot's Response to the LCS Players Association's Demands
Aletaha also laid out responses for each of the LCSPA's asks of them.
Institute VALORANT style promotion and relegation between LCS and NACL.
Riot guarantees LCS minimum contracts for the following year
for five players who win NACL Summer Finals.
Institute a 3/5 continuity rule to provide players on released NACL rosters first priority in maintaining their slots in the upcoming NACL season if a majority continue to compete together.
Riot commit to a revenue pool for player salaries of $300,000 per NACL team, per year.
Allow LCS orgs to partner with affiliates for cost-sharing.
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