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Astralis reportedly receiving offers for LEC spot

With the market for LEC spots being as hot as ever, Astralis is allegedly looking to cash in on... Scott Kostov | 15. August 2022

With the market for LEC spots being as hot as ever, Astralis is allegedly looking to cash in on an otherwise unworthy investment.

Superweek culmination?

In a surprising turn of events, just a day after Astralis failed to secure a spot in the LEC playoffs, reports are coming out that the organization might sell its LEC spot. Ownership is presumably not pleased with the team’s performance during the Superweek, in which they lost all three games, and consequently lost the sixth and final playoff spot.

Is this move an overreaction by management or a smart business decision, considering the price Team Heretics paid for the Misfits spot? Or are Astralis leadership just realizing they made a mistake by investing into a League team while having largely a Counter-Strike fan base?

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Astralis during LEC Superweek. Credit: Riot Games

Rough start for Astralis League of Legends

The organization bought out the team Origen LEC spot in late 2020 by merging with them. The team faced issues from the beginning, as they couldn’t keep their star players from the Origen days. While Elias “Upset” Lipp and Barney “Alphari” Morris searched for greener pastures in Fnatic and Team Liquid, Astralis were left to pick up the pieces with veterans from the regional leagues. They put up two bottom performances in the four splits since they have been a part of the LEC, despite fielding a more experienced and competitive team this split. They were doing just fine treading along to the playoffs, but it seems that this week’s performance was the final nail in the coffin. 

Teams selling LEC spots

The current financial situation is forcing many organizations to reconsider their investments, even in the LEC. Schalke sold its spot last year, Misfits did it this year, and the interest and money being thrown around could have the owners of Astralis thinking. Fan favorite Carmine Corp are once again being mentioned as the heavy front runners, as they missed out on the Misfits spot sweepstakes.

The $46 million that Team Heretics paid for the Misfits slot might soon be contested by another European esports powerhouse. Just like Astralis, NaVi is also looking to enter the waters of League of Legends after dominating the CS:GO scene. Before League franchising took place in 2016, the Ukrainian organization has been a part of several regional tournaments, but this would be its first time on the biggest stage. Reports say that a North American organization is also interested. However, no official information has been revealed. 

Header: Riot Games