TSM Selling LCS Slot for $20M: Why Is North America Losing Value?
One of the most recognizable brands in esports, Team SoloMid (TSM), has begun searching for a buyer for its slot in the North American League of Legends LCS league. This became known thanks to a publication in The Washington Post, which cited insider information. However, it was not the sale itself that aroused interest, but its cost – $20 million. On the one hand, this is twice the amount that TSM paid for a spot in 2013. On the other hand, the price is still far from the records of the professional League of Legends scene. For comparison, the deal between Misfits and Team Heretics in the European LEC cost the buyer between $40 and $50 million. And Echo Fox sold the Evil Geniuses slot for $33 million. This highlights the obvious gap in the cost of slots between Europe and North America.
Why is the price of LCS lower than LEC?
Experts note that LCS has been struggling to attract a new audience and maintain interest in the league for several years. The decline in popularity of the North American scene has a negative impact on its market value. An example of this is the situation with Counter Logic Gaming, which generally transferred its slot along with the contracts of players and employees to the NRG club for free. This became an alarming signal about the problems in the league. At the same time, LEC continues to grow both commercially and in terms of popularity. The European league is actively attracting new fans and sponsors, which explains the higher price tags for deals within it.
TSM CEO Andy Ding announced back in May 2023 that the organization was leaving LCS. But this does not mean that TSM is leaving League of Legends. The organization plans to continue its development in another tier-1 region, and rumors actively link it with the Asian market. It’s a logical move given that Asia dominates the global League of Legends scene and offers much more opportunity for growth.
Insider Leaks and Lack of Transparency
It is worth noting that the amounts of such deals are not officially disclosed – Riot Games and the clubs prefer to keep this information secret. However, leaks from insiders bring clarity to what is happening behind the scenes. And although $20 million for a TSM slot is not the highest price, this deal will be an important indicator of the state of the LCS. If a buyer is found, this could signal that the league is still capable of attracting interest. If not, the crisis on the North American scene will continue to deepen.
In any case, TSM’s departure from the LCS will be a turning point for the league. Behind this decision is not only the financial side, but also a strategic choice that will determine the future of one of the most famous esports brands.
