LNG’s mid-laner Scout at risk of missing Worlds 2024 due to legal issues

League of Legends

12 Sep

Andre Guaraldo

LNG Esports may be heading into the 2024 League of Legends World Championship without their star mid-laner, Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, due to ongoing legal complications. Scout is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with his former team, EDward Gaming (EDG), which could prevent him from participating in the prestigious tournament.

Legal battle with EDG

Scout’s troubles began when EDG filed a lawsuit following his transfer to LNG at the start of the 2023 season. The case has escalated to its second trial after EDG's unsuccessful outcome in the first trial, and the team reportedly requested a travel ban on the player. As a result, Scout, who planned to return to South Korea for vacation, has been forced to remain in China while the case progresses. If the court does not rule in his favor, the travel ban could extend into October, forcing him to miss the World Championship's Swiss stage in Berlin.

LNG’s roster dilemma

Currently, LNG does not have a substitute mid-laner, with former NiP jungler Zhao "Shadow" Ziqiang filling the role of substitute. There have been instances of teams loaning players from other teams to fill gaps, but Scout’s absence poses a significant challenge due to his individual skill and impact on the team's performance.

Fans are already discussing potential solutions for LNG. Some speculate that the team could promote a player from their academy or temporarily sign a free agent. However, the stakes are high, and Scout's absence could severely impact the team’s chances at Worlds.

LNG chances at Worlds drop dramatically if Scout is not allowed to play for the team (credits Daihoc)

LNG chances at Worlds dramatically drop if Scout can't play for the team (credits: Riot Games)

Efforts to lift the ban

SuperGent, the agency representing Scout, has publicly pleaded with EDG to lift the travel ban. In their statement, they emphasized their efforts to resolve the issue and expressed the hope that EDG would cooperate for the sake of the fans and the Chinese team’s performance at Worlds. However, without EDG’s cooperation, it seems unlikely that Scout will be able to attend.

Controversy surrounding Scout’s agency

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation are rumors surrounding Scout’s agency and their alleged unprofessionalism. Speculations suggest that Scout’s agency has been involved in multiple breaches of contract, with attempts to sign him to other teams even while his EDG contract was still active. Some have even suggested that his agency may consist of family members, which may explain the alleged mishandling of his contractual obligations.

What lies ahead?

For now, Scout’s participation in the 2024 Worlds remains uncertain. If the ongoing legal battle doesn’t resolve in his favor, LNG will have to scramble to find a replacement and adjust their strategy accordingly. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching the situation, hoping for a resolution that will allow the talented mid-laner to compete on the world stage.

As of now, the outcome of this legal dispute could drastically change the trajectory of LNG’s Worlds journey, and the esports community waits anxiously to see if Scout will be able to join his team in Berlin.