The looming threat of relegation from the NA LCS is gone. In its place stands permanent franchise spots for teams in League of Legends’ most publicized Western league.
At the time of the franchising announcement, there were extensive debates about what it would do for the scene. Would it affect viewership? Would people be less interested in a league with fewer stakes for failure, or would they glom onto teams more easily if they were guaranteed permanent spots?
Now that the first split of the new NA LCS era is coming to a close, it’s time to take a look at its initial successes and failures.