The next step in the ongoing Echo Fox LCS came to pass as sale of the LCS slot has come down to a deadline. Reportedly, Echo Fox will cooperate with Riot Games in taking the LCS slot to an auction in order to determine the next owner of the slot.
Riot Games issued an official statement on the auction of the Echo Fox LCS slot on August 14, 2019
“Starting on August 16, 2019, we’ll be opening a 30-day application process to select our new long-term partner for the open slot in the LCS,” wrote LCS Commissioner Chris “GRZA” Greeley. “We’ll be using an expedited process similar to the 2017 system that we used to select our initial long-term partners. We will focus on evaluating each applicant’s ownership profile, brand strategy, business plan, and team operational plan. Our goal remains to have an orderly transition as we add a new LCS team ahead of the 2020 season.”
This news comes after the Kroenke Sports And Entertainment Group, owners of the Los Angeles Gladiators Overwatch League team were forced to pull out of a deal to buy the Echo Fox LCS slot. Though the deal was underway, the Kroenke group came into its own troubles after being sued by the Sentinels Esports team for breaching an agreement between the two. Ultimately, Riot deemed Kroenke unable to satisfy requirements to own the LCS slot. Even before the Kroenke deal was underway, groups such as Evil Geniuses, Allen Shapiro of aXiomatic (owner of Team Liquid), and Complexity Gaming had their eyes on the slot.
With the bid going to auction, it would appear we’re likely to see more high-profile efforts to take hold of the coveted spot. Whoever gets it, it would appear that Echo Fox’s involvement in the LCS is finally coming to a close in the very near future.