The NA LCS — the Los Angeles-based professional league for League of Legends esports in North America — is moving to a permanent partnership structure and has unveiled the participating teams, including newcomers that are backed by the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
As a league that’s becoming modeled after professional sports leagues, it’s no surprise that the teams themselves while competing in the multiplayer online battle arena game also have strong ties to traditional sports.
Riot Games over the last few months met with applicants who outlined team strategy and business plans that would be put in place to gain acceptance as one of the 10 charter franchises.