Schalke 04 has held a starting spot in the top European League of Legends league, the LEC, since 2019. However, due to the football club’s relegation to the 2. Bundesliga, Schalke 04 is short on funds. Therefore, negotiations are currently underway regarding the starting spot in the LEC, which, according to Bild, could bring up to 30 million euros.
This is the situation:
- In 2019, Schalke 04 purchased a starting spot in the LEC for 8 million euros. The 10 spots in the league are permanently assigned and can only be bought from other organizations.
- Although Schalke 04 has performed well in the LEC in recent years and regularly made the playoffs, the division reportedly incurred losses in 2020 due to COVID-19.
- As early as February 2021, there were discussions about the starting spot in the LEC, as the football club was at risk of relegation to the 2. Liga. The club has since been relegated.
- For the Summer Split, the midlaner Abbedagge was allegedly sold for 1 million euros. He will be replaced by a rookie from the second team of S04. There was already speculation here that the sale could be related to Schalke’s cost-cutting measures.
Starting spot allegedly sold for 30 million euros, decision reportedly not final
What has happened now? Bild reports that Schalke 04 is supposed to receive 30 million euros for the sale of the starting spot in LoL (via Bild+). However, the deal does not seem to be finalized, as Tim Reichert, the Esports Managing Director of S04, reported to the website Esports Observer.
There, it is stated that no definitive decision has been made yet. However, there should be an update in the next 10 to 14 days.
The Media Relations Manager, Sascha Marx, also stated to Esports Observer:
We have always said that selling parts of our esports business would be a way to generate revenue. We will inform the public when such a sale has taken place.
Sascha Marx
How would it proceed for S04 in LoL? If Schalke sells its starting spot, then the Summer Season 2021 would likely be the last for now. The LEC will start again this weekend (June 11) with the competition.
It is unclear what will happen to the current team if a new organization takes over the starting spot. A takeover is possible but not mandatory.
It is also unclear what the future holds for Schalke 04 Evolution, the “youth team” in the Prime League. The Prime League is the largest LoL league in the German-speaking area (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
Schalke benches Gilius, angers fans
What else is happening with S04? Besides the transfer of Abbedagge and the possible sale of the starting spot, Schalke 04 also drew attention in recent weeks with a controversial transfer decision.
They signed the new jungler Thomas “Kirei” Yuen, who is supposed to replace the current player Gilius. However, he was celebrated as a hero in 2020 and played a significant role in the “Miracle Run,” which surprisingly led the team from last place to the playoffs:
Schalke makes a controversial decision in LoL: Fans consider the transfer as bad as in football.
