Schalke has now officially announced: They are selling the license to play in the LEC League in Switzerland. Schalke was the strongest German team in the European professional league of League of Legends. But due to the Corona pandemic and the relegation of the footballers, the sale became necessary, although it is greatly regretted.
This is the situation:
- Whoever wants to participate in the professional league of LoL needs a license. Schalke had that for 5 years. In May 2016, Schalke took over the team “Elements” and was therefore able to compete in the LEC as a German club.
- Because the footballers were relegated from the Bundesliga and the Corona pandemic continues to press, the club got into financial trouble in 2021 and urgently needed money: They are now selling the spot in the LEC to Switzerland.
- The farewell is difficult for those responsible at Schalke: They had built something great and saw a lot of potential in esports at Schalke.
Sale was foreshadowed since footballers failed in the Bundesliga
Did one know this beforehand? It had been suspected since February 2021. Since the relegation of Schalke 04 from the Bundesliga became apparent, it was in the air that they would sell the spot in the LEC League of LoL. They urgently needed money to reduce the overwhelming debt burden.
In February 2021, it was said: Nothing has been decided yet. After all, there was great growth potential in the field of esports and LoL.
But in recent weeks it became increasingly clear that Schalke would sell the spot. They already sold a valuable player for 1 million euros to the USA.
They need the money for the core area “football,” it was repeatedly said:
- The football fans of the club were pleased that practically “out of nowhere” 30 million euros would come to them. The BILD newspaper had put this sum into play.
- The esports fans of Schalke found the idea terrible that their somewhat successful team would now be dissolved, although they could do nothing about it, just because the footballers were playing so poorly.
Those responsible at Schalke have “fought very hard,” but there was “no other choice”
This is now the official statement: After months of speculation, there is now the official announcement of the sale via Twitter.
The spot in the LEC goes to the Swiss team, BDS, for 26.5 million euros starting in 2022. Apparently, the starting spot was highly sought after.
The responsible manager at Schalke, Tim Reichert, emphasizes how hard they worked to prevent exactly this decision. But it didn’t work out.
Although Schalke would have “phenomenally grown” in esports and they were extremely happy with the project, the Covid-19 pandemic and the relegation of the footballers had “massive financial consequences” for the club – therefore, they had no other choice.
Reichert will leave the club after 5 years now.
Germany currently occupies the last 2 places in the LEC
Are there other German clubs in LoL? Yes, another German club is playing in the LEC with SK Gaming. Currently, they are in last place in the LEC with 1-6.
Schalke has been more successful than SK Gaming in recent years: The Royal Blues have qualified for the playoffs more often in recent years and were on a good path with a group of talented players like Broken Blade.
However, Schalke currently, after having already had to sell players, is also not doing well. They are in second to last place. One of the two victories was, however, outstanding:
Hopeless Schalke beats the record champion in LoL – Somehow WoW is to blame
