Splyce, H2K and Paris Saint-Germain To Be Declined for EU LCS Franchising

At the end of the 2017 season, the North American League of Legends Championships Series underwent a drastic change, with franchising being brought in and several new organizations taking the place of existing teams. Now, it seems the same process is underway in Europe, with several big names being apparently declined for franchising heading into 2019.

A report from ESPN has revealed that Splyce, and a joint venture between H2K and Paris Saint-Germain have been declined for permanent slots in the upcoming season. League sources report that around twenty-four applicants have met with Riot Games officials in Berlin since July to discuss franchising options, with current mainstay organizations Splyce and H2K reportedly not moving forward. This would mark the first time these organizations would exit the league since their arrival in late 2014 and 2015 respectively, with neither team being relegated during their time.

Both organizations will reportedly be compensated with exit payments based on the number of splits they’ve competed in the EU LCS, though currently those figures are unknown. It is also unclear at this stage which organizations will be replacing them during next years season, though new organizations will also reportedly pay more than those existing peers who remain in the EU LCS.

H2K has in the past been quite critical of the way Riot Games chooses to run the EU LCS, speaking out against Riot and threatening to leave the scene if changes related to their ability to make profits were not made. Splyce is not without their own minor controversies, having applied in late 2017 to leave the EU LCS and join the newly franchised NA LCS, alongside G2 Esports and Fnatic. All three teams were declined at the time.

For more League of Legends action, check out the schedule change for the World Championships as they kick off tomorrow, here.