The LCS Returns! Riot Games, Pro Players Reach Agreement

The LCS is back on!

Riot Games, the League Champion Series Players Association (LCSPA), and the pro-LOL players who intended to walk out of the upcoming LCS competition have recently reached an agreement that allows the 2023 LCS summer season to continue at a later date.

The video game developer previously announced it delayed the start of the LCS' summer season after professional LOL players overwhelmingly voted for a walkout at the event.

LCSPA-Riot Games Agreement Details

The LCSPA mentioned in a statement it posted on Twitter that the previously mentioned parties have agreed to make concessions to "ensure a more sustainable [North American Challengers League] future and a more equitable voice for players in their workplace."

A quick look at the agreement reached will show that its stipulations center on providing new and veteran pro-LOL players at home and abroad the protection, opportunity, and means to improve and showcase their talents on the world stage as part of the NACL.

According to the Association's statement, the agreement the three parties reached states that the $300,000 meant for the remainder of the 2023 season will be split among the 10 NACL teams to boost player opportunity and pay and that NACL teams will share 50% of all future NACL sponsorship revenue starting June 9.

Riot Games' own statement mentioned that the previously mentioned stipulations are the basis of a new business model that shares revenue between the tournament operator and participating teams to drive toward long-term sustainability.

However, the NACL will have a Team Participation Agreement (TPA) in 2024, meaning that the teams must abide by minimum standards to receive payments or revenue share from Riot Games.

Additionally, players earning up to 1.5 times the league minimum salary would receive 30 days' severance pay and 15 days' notice for any player competing on a visa for being terminated without cause. Riot Games added that players and teams are free to negotiate terms over and above what was agreed on.

Meanwhile, players and teams will share equal representation on a committee to determine any future changes to the practice schedule "in a collaborative manner."

NACL teams are now required to take action to ensure all foreign players have mandated healthcare available to them on the first day they are in the US. Lastly, Riot Games and the LCSPA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing meetings and notice parameters so all parties are aligned before any future decisions are locked and announced.

The LCSPA mentioned that talks between Riot Games and itself as well as the players in it, will continue on unresolved issues, such as Riot's decision to stop requiring franchisees to field amateur teams to enter the LCS.

2023 LCS Summer Season New Schedule

Thanks to the agreement the LCSPA and Riot made, the upcoming LCS Summer Season (or Split) will now take place on June 14, with matches being played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET at the Riot Games Arena.

LOL Esports Global Head Naz Aletaha said that delaying the Summer Split was not a decision Riot Games took lightly, but the agreement it made with the LCSPA provided "the space to realign on shared goals for the future of the LCS and NACL."

She also added that building for the long-term sustainability and success of the LCS ecosystem is the win condition for everyone; she looks forward to seeing players back on the LCS stage on June 14.