We previously reported on the League of Legends North American Sub-League LCS Players Association calling for a strike vote over the First Games rule change. Since Fist announced that LCS clubs would no longer be required to compel the formation of sub-league teams, many clubs have abandoned their teams, cutting off an important avenue of development for new players who want to play in official leagues. According to a tweet posted yesterday (May 29), the LCS Players Association said the strike vote was “overwhelmingly” approved.
NRG player Palafox previously tweeted, “If it wasn’t for the Academy, I wouldn’t be in the LCS right now,” and TSM player Chime said, “The Academy/NACL system has given me the opportunity to pursue a career. The Academy/NACL system gave me the opportunity to pursue a career.
But within days of the rule change being announced by boxing, five of the 10 major LCS clubs said they would not be participating in the NACL Sub-League this summer, including 100 Thieves, Cloud 9, Dignitas, GoldenDuardians and NRG. The LCS Players Association tweeted that TSM and The LCS Players Association tweeted that TSM and Immortals will not be part of the NACL teams either.
The LCS Players Association’s strike demands of Fist Games include a system of upgrades and downgrades between the LCS and NACL (similar to Fearless Pact/Valorant), the creation of a player salary income pool for the NACL, and a one-year guaranteed contract for LCS players who win the NACL Summer Finals.
Today (May 30), the LCS Players Association asked that players should continue to strike if they are recruited by a team to play as a substitute.
