One of the most important esports organizations, TSM, is currently going through a strong financial crisis; consequently, many rumors have arisen. However, all the attention is focused on the organization’s LoL competitive scene.
Among the rumors that have surfaced is that TSM will stop within the competitive esports scene or many of the squads of different titles. One of the biggest concerns of the organization’s fans is that the most representative squad may leave the LCS, the LoL league.
Due to this huge amount of rumors, the organization has already lost one player from the LoL squad; we are talking about Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang.
Maple leaves TSM
According to the information published on Twitter by THG Esports journalist LCS Eevee, at the moment in Riot Games’ global contract database, the player’s contract with TSM is no longer listed in their database.
[GCD] TSM midlaner Huang "Maple" Yi-Tang have been removed from TSM according to the Global Contract Database#LCS #TSM pic.twitter.com/NyRN3mLijT
— Sander "LCS Eevee" Hove (@LCS_Eevee) April 8, 2023
This fact could mean Maple’s final point within the American organization after being part of their roster for two seasons.
The Taiwanese player from the Anyone’s Legend team, which belongs to the LPL, arrived in North America in May last year to be part of the competitive scene of the LCS. In his time in the LCS, the former Flash Wolves player finished the seventh position during two regular phases.
If this information is true and Maple leaves the team, the organization must change at least two of the five positions. In addition, a few days ago, it was made public that Colin “Solo” Earnest is leaving the North American organization and is currently looking for offers as a coach or player.
On the other hand, the rest of the roster should be part of the next Split if nothing extraordinary happens. In the case of Jonathan “Chime” Pomponio and Lee “Bugi” Seong-yeop, their contracts expire at the end of 2023, and in the case of Jason “Wildturtle” Tran, it ends in 2024.
The LCS may be experiencing a crisis
Rumors of TSM’s departure from the league would not be the only case generating concern for the LCS. It has recently been confirmed that CLG is leaving the competitive scene after NRG Esports bought the entire organization.
However, these would not be the only changes experienced by the LCS; according to information leaked by LCS Eevee, more than half of the league teams are evaluating the possibility of leaving the championship.
[Rumor] More Than Half the #LCS Teams Considering Selling Their Spot pic.twitter.com/4YHZ9KhvTd
— Sander "LCS Eevee" Hove (@LCS_Eevee) April 8, 2023
But that’s not all; according to information published by journalist Jacob Wolf, five have left or changed ownership or brand of the 10 Riot Games accepted for the franchise system.
Officially half of the teams that made LCS franchising are gone or are under new ownership: FlyQuest, CLG, Clutch Gaming, Echo Fox and OpTic.
I don’t think Riot made incorrect selections at the time, except for Echo Fox, but would love to hear reflection from them.
— Jacob Wolf 🐝 (@JacobWolf) April 6, 2023