(Image credit: NRG Esports)
NRG returns to the LCS.
It's official: NRG Esports have acquired Counter Logic Gaming alongside its entire League of Legends department. This includes the first-team players, the Challengers squad, and even the staff. Having last competed back in 2016, this will be NRG's official return to the LCS and League of Legends.
News of CLG's eventual sale and acquisition first broke a few days ago and has since been confirmed by NRG's CEO, Andy Miller. In a video posted to the team's Twitter, Miller went on to say that NRG will be looking to honour CLG's legacy and history within the LCS by designing brand new blue game day jerseys for the team.
Miller has also gone on record to say that NRG will be keeping the entire League of Legends department from CLG intact. This includes the starting LCS team, the Challengers squad, and even the coaching staff. The former CLG roster was one of the better squads during the LCS Spring Split group stage, coming in at fourth to qualify for the playoffs.
Unfortunately, CLG couldn't go far after against Cloud9 in the upper bracket before being eliminated by Evil Geniuses. Despite all that, CLG still managed to finish in the top six of the LCS. This was the organisation's best performance to date in the Spring Split after five years of mediocrity. With the team now in the off-season until the start of the Summer Split, it remains to be seen just how much NRG will change from the current LCS setup CLG had.
NRG's return to the LCS will be special after a seven-year hiatus. Despite its immense popularity, NRG doesn't compete in many big titles. However, it will now be one of the few North American organisations with franchise slots in both the LCS as well as the VCT. Aside from VALORANT, NRG also has teams competing in the likes of Apex Legends, Rocket League, and Overwatch.
Niship “Dhokla” Doshi
Fatih “Luger” Güven
Philippe “Poome” Lavoie-Giguere