Reports indicate that Evil Geniuses, which has already downsized its workforce significantly, is considering further reductions and strategic changes in its esports divisions. According to veteran esports reporter Richard Lewis, the organization is planning to part ways with both its men’s and women’s Counter-Strike teams. Additionally, management is focusing on selling its LCS (League of Legends Championship Series) slot, a deal that is reportedly in progress but not yet finalized.
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The potential sale of Evil Geniuses’ LCS slot has reportedly been a topic of discussion within the esports industry for some time. The most likely buyer, pending approval from Riot Games, is Enthusiast Gaming, the parent company of the esports brand Luminosity Gaming, according to Lewis. Sources suggest that this deal is well advanced in the negotiation process, with Enthusiast Gaming emerging as the preferred buyer.
It’s worth noting that this report does not confirm that Evil Geniuses will completely exit the competitive League of Legends scene. One source mentioned that the organization plans to maintain a presence in Riot Games’ titles. This implies that they might retain their men’s Counter-Strike team until December 2023, while the women’s teams could be disbanded earlier.
In theory, this strategic shift could leave Evil Geniuses with only League of Legends and VALORANT divisions. However, there are uncertainties about the feasibility of these goals. If the team proceeds with the sale of its LCS slot, it might have to relocate to a different region, similar to TSM’s move to China.
Furthermore, roster concerns loom over both the League of Legends and VALORANT divisions. Several members of the EG League roster have purportedly agreed to deals with other teams, and contractual obligations could impact the return of the world championship VALORANT players for the VCT 2024 season. This situation raises questions about the continuity and future competitiveness of Evil Geniuses in these esports leagues.
