Whispers about financial matters intensify as the 2024 LCK season kicks off

The 2024 LCK season commenced on Wednesday at LoL Park in central Seoul, featuring the opening matches of the Spring Split where four top-tier League of Legends teams faced off.

In the initial encounter, Nongshim RedForce secured a 2-0 victory over DRX, while Gen.G later triumphed over reigning World Champions T1 with a 2-1 score.

However, the opening day was overshadowed by a "joint statement" released by a group of teams associated with the LCK, expressing concerns about their financial sustainability within the Riot Games Korea franchise.

According to the statement, the LCK's business value has not grown since its major restructuring in 2021, which replaced the promotion-relegation system with a "long-term partnership model" aimed at ensuring greater stability for LCK teams.

Despite the league's growth in viewership, performance, and fandom, the statement claims that LCK teams have been paid considerably less than teams in other leagues since joining the franchise.

The two-page statement, distributed via email just hours before the start of the 2024 season, does not specify which of the 10 LCK teams approved its release or who the spokesperson represents.

T1, one of the most successful teams in the franchise, did not endorse the joint statement, according to Tucker Roberts, President of the Spectacor Gaming division at Comcast Spectacor, joint owner of T1 along with SK Telecom.

While acknowledging legitimate concerns about LCK business, Roberts expressed disagreement with the proposed need for more games, emphasizing the importance of protecting players' physical and mental health.

The Korean e-Sports Association, the domestic governing body overseeing esports, and Riot Games both declined to comment on the statement, with Riot Games stating that they are "looking into the matter," as conveyed by a communications manager at Riot Games Korea.

The LCK's opening week will continue through Sunday at LoL Park.