Rumor Killer: Sentinels Not Actively Pursuing an LCS Slot

Key insights

5 takeaways

01
Sentinels has officially denied rumors that it is pursuing a slot in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
02
A high-ranking Sentinels employee confirmed to The Esports Advocate that the organization is not currently in discussions with any parties regarding an LCS entry.
03
Speculation regarding a potential move by Sentinels originated from social media reports on April 3 and 4, 2023, suggesting the team was inquiring about pricing for available LCS slots.
04
The rumors emerged during a period of instability in the LCS, coinciding with news of significant staff layoffs at Counter Logic Gaming (CLG).
05
Sentinels currently maintains active rosters in Valorant (VCT), Halo (HCS), and Apex Legends (ALGS), but has no existing presence in League of Legends.

Summary

The esports organization Sentinels is not actively pursuing a franchise slot in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). This clarification serves to address and refute industry speculation that emerged in early April 2023, which suggested the organization was moving to acquire a spot from a struggling team or negotiating directly with Riot Games.

The rumors originated from external industry commentary claiming that Sentinels had inquired about the pricing of available LCS slots amidst broader financial instability within the North American esports landscape. However, a high-ranking representative from Sentinels explicitly denied these claims, confirming that the organization is not currently engaged in any discussions regarding entry into the league.

Sentinels maintains a significant presence in other competitive titles, including the Valorant Champions Tour, the Halo Championship Series, and the Apex Legends Championship Series. Despite the potential for market consolidation and the availability of slots from distressed organizations, the team currently holds no League of Legends roster and has no immediate plans to enter the franchised league. The findings are based on direct communication with organizational leadership, effectively dismissing the circulating reports as inaccurate.