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One trend that viewers will see in franchised LoL leagues in 2021 is a larger disparity between top squads and the rest of the field in each individual region.
As this blockbuster off-season proved, there is a pretty big difference in willingness to spend.
As this blockbuster off-season proved, there is a pretty big difference in willingness to spend.
The reason behind this is, after several years of experimenting with the franchise model, many teams realized that the price of moving from, say, 8th place to 5th place didn’t yield a significant return in league or sponsorship revenue.
There is also the issue that the less famous franchise teams have a difficult time acquiring star players to build around. It’s very hard to attract a Worlds-caliber roster without a couple of top players already committed.
All these factors combined mean that many teams are gambling on young players to blossom into stars, which means that they can transition into signing top free agents and crack into the top 3 in their region.
However, this is much more challenging in esports because there isn’t a draft to help infuse the worst teams with the most promising rookies. The best rookies still will be courted by the teams that are already in top.
This means that teams have to get very lucky on a new player
This means that teams have to get very lucky on a new player
I don’t blame many teams for taking the gambling approach. It makes sense because they never had a chance to realistically compete for a Worlds slot in their region even by spending millions. It’s a logical financial decision in line with current industry revenue streams.
What does this mean for fans and how you should watch LoL this year?
It means there are going to be a few banger games in each region and then a lot of fiestas between teams filled with rookies.
Maybe one or two of the young teams will turn out to be legit.
It means there are going to be a few banger games in each region and then a lot of fiestas between teams filled with rookies.
Maybe one or two of the young teams will turn out to be legit.
My advice?
Watch the calendar and pick out the top games from each region since it’s the best use of your time. This was true before, but it’s doubly true in 2021.
It will be very clear week to week which games will be worth your time.
Watch the calendar and pick out the top games from each region since it’s the best use of your time. This was true before, but it’s doubly true in 2021.
It will be very clear week to week which games will be worth your time.
