The North American League of Legends competitive landscape has suffered a devastating blow since early 2023, with seven major esports organizations exiting the scene and the historic LCS (League Championship Series) brand effectively being retired. This exodus represents an unprecedented collapse for what was once considered one of the premier regions in global League of Legends.
The departures include some of North America’s most iconic and successful teams: TSM, CLG, 100 Thieves, Evil Geniuses, NRG, Golden Guardians, and Immortals. What makes this situation particularly painful for fans is that five of these seven organizations had won championships, while six had reached finals in previous seasons. These weren’t just participants—they were cornerstone franchises that helped build North American League of Legends into a powerhouse of viewership and fan engagement.
TSM’s departure struck an especially significant blow. As arguably the most recognizable brand in North American esports history, TSM was synonymous with the region’s identity in League of Legends. The organization faced serious financial challenges after the collapse of its $210 million naming rights deal with cryptocurrency exchange FTX, highlighting the fragile economic foundations many teams were built upon.
The financial reality behind these departures paints a troubling picture of the esports business model in North America. After franchising started in 2018, organizations invested heavily in player salaries, lavish training facilities, and content production—all while struggling to bring in enough revenue. The withdrawal of venture capital funding and failed sponsorship deals only made things worse.
Adding to the region’s troubles, Riot Games rebranded the iconic LCS as “League of Legends: The Americas” (LTA), merging North American competition with Latin American representation. This change further diluted the region’s identity and reduced its visibility at international events, where North American teams have historically struggled to make deep runs at tournaments like Worlds and MSI.
Viewership has dropped off as fans lost connection with their favorite teams and players. The influx of imported talent, while raising the competitive level, often came at the expense of developing local personalities that viewers could identify with. Schedule changes, including moves to weekday broadcasts, further alienated casual viewers.
Can anyone hear the TSM chants anymore?
The North American scene now rests on the shoulders of the few remaining organizations like Cloud9, Team Liquid, Shopify Rebellion, and FlyQuest. Some people in the industry think a grassroots revival could eventually happen, but big challenges like Riot’s tight grip on the competitive scene make it an uphill battle for any organic comeback.
The collapse of North America’s League of Legends scene is a warning for anyone banking on rapid growth in esports. What started as a big franchising experiment ended up with legendary teams walking away and a once-proud region losing its sense of identity. Fans are now left wondering if the glory days of North American League of Legends are gone for good.
