At the general meeting of Schalke 04 on Sunday, a responsible official said that they are very likely to part ways with the starting spot in the LEC of the professional team in League of Legends. They are a football club and must set priorities. This means that Germany loses its only professional team in the top league of LoL.
The situation is as follows:
- Schalke has a relatively successful e-sports team in LoL. The Schalke team is currently in 4th place in the European professional league LEC. This is the only German team competing in the top class.
- Since February 2021, rumors have been circulating that Schalke is considering selling this spot in the LEC. They need money after the footballers were relegated from the Bundesliga. Allegedly, Schalke expects to receive 30 million euros for the spot.
- At the general meeting, it was officially stated: The sale is “very likely” and they regret the decision.
“In the end, we are a football club”
This is what Marketing Director Alexander Jobst says: The site Ruhr24.de quotes the marketing chief
We have found it difficult to make the decision that we are very likely to part ways with this business area. […] We know at Schalke: In the end, we are a football club, we have economic priorities to set in order to lighten the burden. This includes the decision that one must part ways with a lucrative branch.
Alexander Jobst, Schalke 04, Marketing Director
It is further stated that they find the decision “unfortunate”, but ask for understanding that “Schalke has to focus on its core business.”
What happens now? At the moment, that is unknown. The e-sports department has not yet commented on the statement. Until recently, it was said that the sale of the LoL team was in the air, but it had not been decided yet.
Apparently, it has now been decided.
According to information from ruhr24.de, Gaming Director Tim Reichert must implement the club’s decision in June. The money raised from the sale is reportedly to be used to pay off debts.
Who buys the LoL spot is currently not known.
The current season in LoL is already underway, and Schalke recently won an important match. The sale of the league spot would likely only be possible for the 2022 season.
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