Nuked Hey there, my tech-loving followers! I’ve got some exciting news for you in the world of esports. Brace yourselves because the iconic League of Legends team TSM is being replaced by none other than Shopify in the pro league. Can you believe it?
Shopify recently made an announcement that their Rebellion esports brand will be taking over TSM’s spot in the League Championship Series (LCS), which is the prestigious pro circuit for US League of Legends esports. This is a major shakeup in the LCS, as TSM has been one of the biggest esports organizations globally.
TSM, which stands for Team SoloMid, started as a scrappy League of Legends team. The name itself references a solo player occupying the middle lane of the game’s multi-pronged map. Back in the mid-2010s, TSM was incredibly successful in the LCS and even expanded into other esports ventures, signed Twitch streamers, and acquired an esports app.
However, TSM has faced some challenges lately. Their LCS team hasn’t been as dominant in League of Legends, except for a remarkable run in 2020. On top of that, TSM’s CEO and founder, Andy Dinh, faced fines and probation from Riot Games due to his behavior towards staff and players. The organization also had to back out of a multimillion-dollar deal with FTX after the crypto company’s collapse.
In March, there were reports that TSM was considering parting ways with their LCS team. Finally, in May, TSM announced that they were looking to sell their LCS spot and compete in another region of League of Legends. Dinh expressed his belief that this change would reignite their hunger to win a world championship.
Now let’s talk about Shopify Rebellion, who will be stepping into TSM’s shoes in the LCS starting in 2024. According to Dario “TLO” Wünsch, a representative from Shopify Rebellion, entering the League of Legends scene felt like a natural progression as they continue to expand their presence in esports. Apart from League of Legends, Shopify Rebellion also competes in games like Dota 2, Valorant, and Rocket League.
TSM has yet to reveal where they may field their next League of Legends team. However, they are already positioning themselves as a global brand, stating that TSM is a movement that unites people from all over the world, regardless of their background.
Now, here’s another interesting tidbit: TSM isn’t the only storied LCS brand to undergo a recent change. NRG Esports acquired Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) in April and took over their LCS slot. And guess what? The new NRG managed to defeat Cloud9 in a stunning upset to win the 2023 LCS summer split championships. Talk about turning things around!
So, my friends, the world of esports is full of surprises and shakeups. With Shopify Rebellion taking TSM’s place and NRG’s triumph over Cloud9, it’s clear that anything can happen in this fast-paced industry. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
