In League of Legends, spots in the European professional league LEC are being sold again: Misfits Gaming will transfer its spot in the league to a Spanish team. Allegedly, the deal is worth around 45 million euros. Schalke 04 must be feeling upset about this. They had to sell due to financial difficulties in 2021 and received “only” 26.5 million euros. But a spot in the league is now apparently much more attractive than it was a year ago.
How does it work with spots in the LEC?
- The European professional league of LoL is the LEC: This is not a “traditional sports league” where teams can be promoted or demoted like in the Bundesliga, but a “franchise league” like in the USA.
- The spots in the league “belong” to the teams, who acquired them through a licensing procedure from Riot Games.
- You cannot be demoted from the league, however, you can sell your spot and license to another team.
Maybe the German hope from Berlin, Eintracht Spandau, will play in the LEC someday:
Who is selling now? According to several sources, the team “Misfits Gaming” is selling its spot: They are known for their logo with a mischievous rabbit.
The team Misfits is officially based in Berlin – many LoL teams are there because the LEC matches are held there. Misfits Gaming is not a typical “German” team, although with top laner “Irrelevant” a German has indeed been on the roster since May 2022.
In LoL, Misfits Gaming is more of a mid-tier team: In spring 2022, they finished third in the league, but only won one single game in the playoffs and were eliminated without a sound.
As of summer 2022, they are currently sitting in the middle of the league with a record of 5-6, playing for the golden pineapple.
Recently, we reported on MeinMMO about Misfits when they signed the talented “God of Solo Queue” in LoL but shortly after, MagiFelix was also released.
Misfits qualified for the LCS EU in 2017 – won against Schalke
How did Misfits get into the LEC? Misfits Gaming qualified in 2016 under the name “Renegades Bandidos” for the relegation tournament: 5 teams played against each other, the top 3 were promoted to the LEC, which was still called “LCS EU” at the time. Back then, one could still reach the league through sport.
The relegation tournament “EU LCS 2017 Spring Promotion” was played under the name “Misfits Gaming”.
Ironically, Misfits Gaming was one of the 3 teams that made it into the LCS in 2017 – Schalke 04 did not make the jump at that time and only joined the league a year later in 2018.
Spanish team is likely entering the LEC – but not the one from Ibai
Who is supposedly buying the spot? It was rumored that some of the “exciting young influencer teams” could buy the spot: like Karmine Corp or KOI, the team of mega-influencer Ibai and soccer star Piqué.
But now it looks like the Spanish team Heretics will buy the spot in the league. However, this is not officially confirmed yet.
Team Heretics was founded by YouTuber Jorge “Goorgo” Orejudo in 2016 and plays in the Spanish league “LVP SL”.
The most exciting players in their current team are mid laner Zwyroo (Poland) and bot laner Jackspektra (Norway), who could also be imagined in the LEC.
Spot in the LEC is now supposedly worth almost double what Schalke received
Here’s the interesting part: According to reports, the team Misfits is allegedly set to receive between 45 and 50 million euros for its spot.
Schalke 04, who had to sell their place in the league in 2021, received “only” 26.5 million euros for their spot.
Schalke had to sell due to financial necessity in 2021, after they were relegated from the Bundesliga. Since then, a spot in the LEC has apparently become significantly more valuable.
However, at the moment the amount is just a rumor – we will see how much Misfits Gaming actually earns.
Why is the league more attractive? There has been a significant increase in the valuation of e-sports in LoL, as the regional leagues have become much more exciting, making LOl in the highest play levels more attractive.
Popularity of LoL exploded in 2022 after a change in Europe
Teams officially confirm sale – Misfits completely withdraws from LoL
Update July 27, 8:57 PM: The rumors have now been confirmed. Misfits Gaming will sell its spot to the team Heretics. However, more detailed information about the deal, such as how much money the team Heretics paid for the spot, has not been disclosed.
Without the professional team, Misfits also wants to withdraw from the French regional league, the LFL, and plans to deregister its academy team, Misfits Premier, by the end of 2022.
