What’s next for NRG after LCS exit?

NRG has dropped multiple League of Legends esports coaches and players from its roster after LCS exit, but is there a chance they will return?

NRG has one of the more fascinating stories in League of Legends esports. Founded by co-owners of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, NRG debuted in the 2016 spring split with a middling performance. Team Liquid delivered its first devastating loss, and NRG failed to recover any momentum for 2016. For over seven years, NRG avoided the League of Legends scene, likely due to its previously poor performance in the LCS. NRG sought to redeem its image and put on a star performance, earning a spot at Worlds 2023. While it failed to capture gold, fans thought the team finally had some backbone.

Unfortunately, NRG disagrees, and the sponsor has made some big changes amid Worlds 2024.

NRG cans contracts as Worlds 2024 season ramps up

LCS cornerstone NRG cut key figures in the team’s growth, effectively restarting its roster ahead of Worlds 2024.

NRG hasn’t revealed the reasons for these sudden contract terminations. Fans only found out through Riot’s global contract database. Here’s a list of the talents terminated by NRG before their contracts ended.

• Brandon Juves Defina (Coach)
• Christopher “Croissant” Sun (Coach)
• Aaron “Chuz” Bland (Coach)
• Paul “sOAZ” Boyer (Coach)
• Cristian “Palafox” Palafox (Player)
• Juan “Contractz” Garcia (Player)
• Niship “Dhokla” Doshi (Player)

While the news shocked some fans, veteran audiences of the esports scene saw the clock ticking weeks ago. Earlier in September 2024, reports of NRG exiting the LCS made the rounds on social media. NRG had just bought Counter Logic Gaming’s roster a few months prior, making the choice even more confusing for fans.

NRG’s 2024 season disappointed supporters, never quite making it into the top three. With these contract terminations, fans began to speculate about the reasons behind the exit. One Redditor claims the NRG story highlights the inherent flaws in how Riot handles the scene.

“So NRG came in, slapped their d–k on the table, won, yoinked the money and left. All of it was only possible because Riot is absolutely useless at setting up an e-sports ecosystem that actually grows. You win the LCS and you realize the best option as a team is to leave the LCS, make it make sense,” said the esports fan.

While NRG hasn’t announced any plans of leaving League of Legends esports altogether, it does beg the question of how it will rebuild.