Rogue Reportedly Looking to Sell LEC Slot
The landscape in the LEC next year may look a little less familiar, as long-time league participant Rogue are reported to be discussing selling their franchise spot in the league.
After a Disappointing Few Splits, Rogue Look Ready to Move On
It has not been a merry 2024 for Rogue in the LEC, as the team has failed to qualify for playoffs in all 3 splits.
Firstly, Rogue set off to a bad start of the year by finishing 9th in the 2024 LEC Winter Season. Unhappy with these results, the team brought back fan-favorite top laner Finn for the Spring Season. However, the change did not have the desired effects, and the team finished 9th yet again during the Spring Season.
More recently, Rogue saw its year in League of Legends draw to an early close with a 10th and last place finish in the Summer Season.
Now, after what can only be catalogued as a disappointing year for a team with so many renowned players, it was reported by Sheep Esports' Brieuc "LEC Wooloo" Seeger that Rogue are looking to sell their slot in the LEC. If this were to be the case, it remains to be seen if an old familiar face will make its return to the league, or if a new threat looms over the horizon.
Team Falcons Are in Pole Position to Take Rogue's Slot
After an aggressive set of moves in the Dota 2 and Counter-Strike spheres over the last year, Team Falcons look set on their pursuit to take the world of esports by storm.
The Saudi Arabian esports organization reportedly already tried to join the LEC in 2022 when Astralis looked to exit the league. The move, however, was blocked by Riot Games.
In the end, the franchise spot was famously bought by French organization Karmine Corp instead. Now, Team Falcons and Infinite Reality, Rogue's parent company, appear to be deep in conversations regarding Team Falcons' purchase of the LEC spot.
It is perhaps worth noting that the Esports World Cup, which featured an exciting League of Legends tournament, is currently taking place in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps Team Falcons would have cherished a chance at measuring up against the very best League of Legends teams on home soil, an itch that might just prove to be scratched in the end.
A Worrying Trend For Rogue Fans
Rogue's most recent moves in the LEC looked rather positive, if even ambitious. Some of these moves include their decision to partner up with KOI, re-signing Larssen on a multi-year deal, or the return of Finn for the Spring Season.
Despite these efforts, Rogue's apparent planned departure from the LEC follows in the footsteps the organization has left across other esports. As recently as February of this year, the organization made the decision to drop its Rainbow Six Siege team, whose core Fnatic was quick to pick up. This move came only two years after Rogue decided to move in a similar direction by exiting the world of Rocket League.
While Rogue's future in esports looks uncertain at the time, nothing is set in stone, and they may surprise as yet.
Image Source: Michal Konkol/Riot Games
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