All 10 franchised teams in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) have united to demand transformative changes from Riot Games following three years of stagnation in the league's business growth.

The joint statement, released on 16th January, explains the teams' frustration with the LCK league's inability to increase its business value over the past three years, despite continuous growth since its inception. The teams assert that the revenue distribution for teams has been consistently decreasing, and the projected revenue targets have never been met.

One of the primary grievances voiced by the teams is Riot Games' apparent withdrawal of investment in the LCK, coinciding with the commencement of the 2024 season. Behind-the-scenes discussions have reportedly come to a standstill, prompting the teams to take their concerns public, with the involvement of the Korean media. Shockingly, the teams allege that Riot resorted to behind-the-scenes threats to silence any discussions of these issues, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

Complicating matters is the dissenting voice of T1, a powerhouse in League of Legends and a major force in the LCK. T1 contends that they never approved the joint statement and disagree with several points raised publicly. This discrepancy raises questions about whether a prior version of the statement was released prematurely or if the other nine teams are leveraging a unified front to garner more attention. The absence of support from a major player like T1 adds an extra layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative.

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Amid the controversy surrounding the statement's authorship, the incident paints a grim picture of the esports landscape. The LCK, envisioned as one of the most lucrative regional leagues, is grappling with financial challenges despite unwavering support from fervent fans. This begs the question: if the LCK, with its dedicated fan base, faces difficulties, what does this signify for other leagues?