LCS Summer Split set to start as LCSPA cancels walkout after agreement with Riot

The LCS walkout has been called off, with Riot and the LCS Players Association (LCSPA) reaching an agreement for the future of the NA Challengers League 

On May 29, the LCSPA voted as a union to stage a walkout from the 2023 LCS Summer Split in protest of Riot’s changes to the NACL circuit. These changes saw teams drop their academy rosters without consultation from players en masse and forced many careers up in the air. 

In response to the planned walkout, on May 31 Riot announced a two-week delay to the Summer Split, further threatening to cancel it entirely leaving no LCS representation at Worlds, and even shutting down all five of the LCSPA’s demands.

LCSPA calls off walkout after reaching agreement with Riot

However, nine days after Riot’s initial response, Riot and the LCSPA have come to an agreement for the future of the NACL.

The LCSPA announced that the union and Riot have come to a list of agreements on June 8, mostly surrounding increased revenue sharing, ensuring players will get severance pay, and increased player representation on matters.

The LCSPA says the agreement does not bring the NACL to what it once was, but it has increased stability and protection for many players moving forward.

“What we have accomplished is a guarantee by Riot going forward to support the new NACL format and its players – increased financial support for the NACL, accountability measures designed to protect players working for the new operators in the NACL, and lasting protections for our lowest earning members,” the LCSPA statement reads.

Below is the list of agreements that were reached:

• $300,000 for the remainder of the 2023 Season to be split amongst the 10 NACL teams in order to boost player opportunity and pay
• 50% of all future NACL sponsorship revenue will now be shared by NACL Teams
• The NACL will have a Team Participation Agreement (TPA) in 2024. This means NACL teams will have to abide by minimum standards to receive payments or revenue share from Riot.
• A minimum of 30 days severance pay for termination without cause for any player earning up to 1.5 times the league minimum salary and 15 days’ notice for any player competing on a visa.
• Players and teams will share equal representation on a committee to determine any future changes to the practice schedule in a collaborative manner.
• Teams will take action to ensure all foreign players have mandated healthcare available to them by the first day they are in the US.
• Riot and the LCSPA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes meetings and notice parameters to ensure all parties are aligned before any future decisions are locked and communications are made.

Riot Games

The agreement is missing the various initial demands from the LCSPA of a clearer upwards career path for NACL and LCS players. Namely the institution of a Valorant-style promotion system, and the guaranteed LCS minimum contracts for the winners of the LCS Summer finals each year.

Despite it all, the LCSPA has come to an agreement guaranteeing NACL and LCS players better job security.

LCS Summer Split 2023 to resume on June 14 after LCSPA and Riot come to an agreement

With the announcement that the agreements have been made, the LCS officially revealed that the Summer Split will be returning on June 14.

Competition will return on Wednesday, June 14, with the LCS’ matches for the Summer Split being played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.