Unexpected Transfer Drama Erupts in LPL, Leaving One Team in a Situation Similar to T1
On the evening of November 24th (Vietnam time), numerous reports surfaced on Weibo indicating that JD Gaming had “broken the bank” to secure the duo of Scout and Peyz. The situation would have seemed normal if it weren’t for the fact that one of these players, Scout, is still under contract with LNG Esports, while Peyz has been recently updated as a rookie for LNG.
Within less than 24 hours, the situation took a surprising turn, catching many spectators off guard. According to Chinese media, the cause of this uproar stems from JDG offering a substantial amount of money to the representatives of both players to influence and compel them to change their decisions. The representatives of Scout and Peyz are none other than Supergent, a well-known agency in the League of Legends community.
For those unaware, Supergent represents many prominent players, including several former or current members of T1, such as Scout, Keria, and Ruler. Notably, Supergent was also the reason Scout almost missed the 2024 World Championship due to their ambiguous handling of financial matters and Scout’s contract with his former team, Edward Gaming.
Additionally, the situation for LNG, if the transfers do indeed go through, resembles T1’s predicament of having “no one left to recruit.” However, while T1 managed to secure a quality signing in Doran, LNG’s situation appears far graver as there are not many skilled players available in the LPL at this moment.
Moreover, according to some reports from Hanyi, a credible source in the LPL region, Supergent is also “playing both sides” by contacting both JDG and LNG simultaneously. This could be seen as a form of “double-dealing” while Gen.G has yet to officially part ways with Peyz.
This situation mirrors that of Zeus, where his representatives hesitated and sought to use both T1 and Hanwha Life Esports to gauge the intentions of the other team during the recent transfer drama.
Unlike T1, LPL’s Transfer Drama May Be Resolved Quickly by Riot
Indeed, if JDG is genuinely “pulling strings” to acquire these players, LNG has every right to file a lawsuit if there is evidence of transfer misconduct by JDG. Furthermore, if LNG were to lose Scout and Peyz, they would face the threat of dismantling their roster. Therefore, if this situation does materialize, LNG must certainly protect their interests.
According to some information from LPL, LNG intends to recruit Tian, with the condition that they must have a strong enough roster for Tian to agree to join. Scout and Peyz serve as the “leverage” for the Tian-LNG deal. If Scout and Peyz cannot join, Tian may also choose to leave. At that point, LNG would have no one left to fill those roles.
Moreover, JDG could also encounter issues regarding salary caps if they truly wish to build an all-star team. The LPL is said to have “accommodated” JDG when they signed Ruler in 2023. It remains unclear whether Riot and the LPL organizers will “turn a blind eye” this time, especially since JDG’s maneuvers affect the rights of another team.
However, as of now, the situation remains speculative. Only when official information is released will the audience be able to gauge the reactions of the involved parties.
