Riot gave each team $3 million this year to operate in LCS + NACL, but only 3 could afford to spend 15-20% of that to promote the future of NACL? Shame on Riot for letting teams get away with it and shame on every team that pocketed the future of the league.
On Friday,
@TSM
dropped their NACL team immediately after Riotโs decision. They didnโt so much as bother to face the community and announce the end of their NACL program publicly. Riot is bending over backwards for the wrong people. Players and fans deserve better than this.
Champions Queue started as a conversation led by
@TLCoreJJ
six months ago. He challenged the PA to find a way to create a solo queue environment where all players could improve.
The NALCSPA is excited to announce that pro players can now stream matches on the tournament realm. The PA coordinated with Riot to create this policy to enable players to get more quality practice in a low ping environment. (1/2)
We are proud of you, we stand with you, and we will do our part to ensure every team and player is invested in a workplace where anyone can feel the safety and confort to be in their own skin.
On Friday,
@TSM
dropped their NACL team immediately after Riotโs decision. They didnโt so much as bother to face the community and announce the end of their NACL program publicly. Riot is bending over backwards for the wrong people. Players and fans deserve better than this.
BREAKING: The
@NALCSPA
has asked LCS players to vote Sunday on a walkout in protest of changes to the NACL.
โIf we have 26 out of 50 of the LCS player willing to do something, I can tell you right now, the league's not running,โ
@Phillip_Aram
said.
More in my story, below.
If you've had a disturbing or inappropriate workplace experience at ANY esports team, contact us and we will do whatever we can to help you navigate your situation.
If youโve had disturbing workplace experiences at TSM, I encourage you to get in touch with
@LeaderGrev
from the Washington Post and the
@NALCSPA
.
Be proactive and tell your stories in confidence so that others will not have to share your experiences.
RT for great justice.
Mark met with player leadership in December, explained the reasoning for the changes, and genuinely sought input from leadership to improve the ideas.
The LCS players are excited to begin 2024 with bold new ideas and a committment to seeking and listening to player feedback!
Watch the very first
#LCS
Address with
@TheeMarkZ
to learn about all of the changes coming in 2024!
๐ด Live Patch
โฐ Less Time Between Games
๐ฅ Community Interactivity
โ And More!
๐บ
Thanks to all the NA LCS pros who attended yesterday's meeting and made leadership nominations. Great to see pros coming together and discussing issues that affect everyone - lots to do!โ
This week, the LCSPA ran first-of-their-kind educational sessions with the top 80 aspiring LCS players competing in Proving Grounds quals. For the first time, these players were armed with information and access to improve their contracts, brands, and wellness this offseason.
While we don't agree on all the solutions, we see and applaud
@LiQuiD112
and
@TeamLiquidLoL
for their commitment to the NACL and to protecting the future of the league.
We are excited to announce a new LCS rule we hope will prevent a repeat of the problematic situation during summer split where Fenix,
@AltecLoL
, &
@AdrianMaLoL
were released on the eve of rosters being locked without enough time to find new teams. The new rule provides a 1/2
Hello Twitter! This is the official account of the North American LCS Playersโ Association - or NA LCS PA for short. Weโre an organization run by and for NA LCS and LCS Academy pros
During our numerous discussions with Riot, the LCSPA proposed numerous transition plans and plausible solutions to removing the NACL requirement. Riot choose to completely ignore them and jeopardize the future of the NACL and LCS.
The LCSPA is independently investigating the circumstances of this report and will fight any agreement that illegally or unethically restricts player movement or alters player bargaining power.
In the buyout agreement for Perkz this time last year,
@G2esports
and
@Cloud9
agreed to put a clause that would prevent
@C9Perkz
from moving to
@FNATIC
for the next three years.
Despite that, Riot Global found it's caused no harm to Perkz's prospects.
2/2 roster change deadline safe harbor, with the deadline to sign with a new team extended by three days for any player released from a team roster within 48 hours preceding the roster change deadline. Kudos to
@DarshanU
for his heavy lifting in getting this new rule.
The council of pro players, amateur players, LCS team staff, the LCSPA and Rioters will be weighing all applicants holistically if CQ expands. Champion pool would definitely be a key factor, so we recommend 1tricks take time to explore some of the other 157 champions.
@NALCSPA
What are the prerequisites to get in for solo q players? For example is a challenger 1trick less likely to get in compared to a more flexible master/gm player?
This is more than a fancy private queue. CQ is about the future of the LCS domestically and abroad. It is a commitment to fostering the best training environment for top players in the region - low ping, no one tricks, banned toxicity, and real stakes.
The LCSPA is in ongoing discussions with Riot about the makeup of the NACL in 2024. We do not expect any changes to the NACL in 2023, and we strongly oppose any such consideration.
Further, the LCSPA does not anticipate any significant changes to import rules in NA.
[Sources] All 10 LCS teams have reportedly voted against making NACL mandatory for 2024. However, they are pushing for the rule to be dropped starting with this summer split. Riot is expected to announce their decision on Monday regarding whether teams will still be required to
The LCSPA was made aware in recent days of the circumstances that led to Peter Zhang's removal from TSM. An investigation is underway to ensure all players are adequately protected and supported.
Free agency is coming fast. If you're competing in NA next year, submit your contract to the Player Contract Database by emailing INFO
@LCSPA
.ORG. You get access to:
๐>60 2022 contracts and >150 total contracts
๐High, low, and average salary data by position
๐Bonus details
Today the NALCSPA had a historic first meeting with executives from Riot and all 10 LCS teams. We are all excited about the prospects for positive change.
The only thing lazy about our players are the takes saying they don't put in the work. While they invest in themselves and grind hard to get better, Riot takes the easy way out.
The NALCSPA is pleased to announce that
@C9Goldenglue
has been chosen by the Executive Committee to replace
@ogmithy
. We thank Alfonso for his contributions to the PA and welcome Greyson to the Executive Committee.
We're incredibly excited about the rollout of Champion's Queue. AMA about CQ, and we will do our best to tell you about the how, and the why, and the why now of this initiative!
Next we met with every player in person and learned what their perfect queue would look like and what their pain points were. We got buy in that if we built it, they would be there.
Team Liquid Honda is committed to the NACL for 2024.
A healthy ecosystem for North American League of Legends includes investment in local talent and player development. We believe in the future of the LCS and are committed to its long-term sustainability.
We've worked with Riot over the summer and fall to find the right opportunity for CQ to return. We're excited to see it back as a preseason training tool.
Oh and...
CQ NOW FEATURES DUO QUEUE!
We'll be supporting the pros' practice needs ahead of the Season by patching the Pre-Season on Tournament Realms and turning on Champions Queue in December!
Those who already have access to CQ will retain it alongside LCS and NACL pros from current and future rosters.
The LCSPA has entered into a multiyear partnership with
@OneTeamPartners
who will assist the LCSPA in becoming a sustainable and independent player organization and will help set the LCSPA on the path to unionization. More:
Over the last 24 hours, the LCS PA conferred with Luka, Riot, and other stakeholders regarding the matter. We are pleased with Riot's decision to change the rules to make clear that these unfair restrictions on player movement are not allowed.
Free Agency can often be a stressful period for many players.
This week, the LCSPA wants to bring light to common issues we see players face, and how to overcome them!
PA leadership spent last week meeting with every LCS and Academy team in-person to organize a united player response to issues ranging from the state of solo queue to the importance of Academy and investing in homegrown talent.
LCSPA Executive Director
@Phillip_Aram
joins
@TravisGafford
for an interview to provide insight on Riot's decision to abandon the future of the NACL and how the LCSPA aims to combat the harmful outcome.
๐บLive Now:
Joining the database empowers you and your fellow players with information to use at the bargaining table with teams.
It's easy to join, and we are constantly updating and improving the database to serve players each year.
Knowledge is power.
As
#WORLDS2021
begins, the LCSPA has sent out the 4th edition of the LCS Contract Database to LCS players who shared their own contract.
Financial transparency improves the bargaining power of every employee. Get informed before you sign on the dotted line.
๐We're in the works on an agent certification program, but, in the meantime, players can contact the PA to received a list of all agents and lawyers we know to be currently representing LCS and Academy players.
PSA to all (especially rookie) players going into this chaotic off-season for League of Legends and Valorant:
Get an agent or at least a lawyer. Don't sign anything until a lawyer looks it over.
Riot is the only group with authority to change the current system. We continue to work with all sides on a robust solution to improve the LCS for 2022 and beyond.
The LCS Team Owners have voted in favor of removing requirements demanding they field Academy teams, sources say
My full video, featuring a statement from the
@NALCSPA
:
It's still not too late to join the LCSPA Player Contract Database if you're heading into free agency later this month. Contact our ED
@Phillip_Aram
to gain access before signing your next deal!
A big thanks to all of the members who participated in the nominations and elections. Time to work together to enrich the careers and lives of NALCS pros.
Free agency is coming fast. If you're competing in NA next year, submit your contract to the Player Contract Database by emailing INFO
@LCSPA
.ORG. You get access to:
๐Contracts from every LCS org and position
๐High, low, and average salary data by position
๐Bonus details
We appreciate Riotโs willingness to take action on feedback given from the PA and the community.
We are excited for the 2023
#LCS
Spring Split to start on January 26!
The LCSPA worked closely with Riot leadership over the last month to vet every reasonable measure to maintain the LAN finals in NJ. Due to increasing concerns over Delta Variant breakthrough cases potentially impacting Worlds attendance for players, the PA supports this change.
The North American Challengers League is the natural next step in fostering a healthy ecosystem under the LCS, and the LCSPA is proud to have worked with Riot throughout the process. There are now more ways than ever to become a pro and develop your skills in NA.
Champions Queue will be coming online this Monday, December 11th!
It will be available every day from 5PM PT / 8PM ET thru 11PM PT / 2AM ET on the Chicago server.
Riot and the LCSPA spoke ahead of this decision and agreed that an abundance of caution was warranted this week to ensure the most safe and competitive playoff environment possible.
Best of luck to everyone on their ranked climb!
To aspiring players, remember that how you present yourself on the rift is just as important to how you perform.
Don't close the door on future opportunities by acting poorly now.
Today marks the official first day of LCS Free Agency.
To our players, we know this can be a stressful time to navigate and the LCSPA is here to support you each step along the way. Do not hesitate to reach out to us through DMs or at info
@lcspa
.org if you find yourself in need.
Our annual Player Summit is returning in person on Monday @ 4pm. It's a place for our players to learn about and discuss key issues affecting their lives, and it's where the PA can update our priorities to stay responsive to our members' needs.
Itโs our goal to represent the interests and well being of NA LCS and LCS Academy pro players by providing access to information, counsel and the opportunity to voice feedback and action change
The LCSPA is looking for a paid Spanish text translator to aid us in an upcoming project and future projects!
Please contact the LCSPA through Twitter DMs or at info
@lcspa
.org.
Recently we shared with our members CSPPA recommendations with regards to agent representation agreements. More below.
Full version:
Agent agreements:
Please also see:
Player contracts:
1/16
Weโre working closely with the pros to form the PA thatโs most useful to them - in the meantime, weโll be joining in the conversation here and on Reddit, so hit us up if you have questions