Echo Fox terminates contracts of entire LCS roster

ECHO FOX

The North American esports organization Echo Fox has been in unrest for months due to a prior incident with an investor using racial slurs. After the initial report, Riot Games requested the immediate removal of organization co-founder and investor Amit Raizada. That did not occur, so the company announced that Echo Fox would be removed from the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). The LCS will sell the slot and provide the “bulk of the proceeds” to Echo Fox. Just days after this announcement, Echo Fox revealed in a statement that it will be terminating the contracts of its entire LCS and Academy roster.

“Following the departure of Echo Fox from the LCS, we’ve had to take the unfortunate step of terminating our contracts with our current League of Legends players,” wrote Echo Fox in the release. “While each player contract is different, we are making sure to handle every case with the care necessary to ensure they are treated fairly in this time of transition.”

The organization’s other esports players for games like Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter, and more will not be affected.

“We will also be working to support [players] as they enter the next phase of their careers,” added the esports organization after terminating the contracts. “Whether that be with another esports organization or whatever path they may choose.”

Echo Fox had planned on selling the slot to the parent company of Overwatch League franchise Los Angeles Gladiator, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The deal was reported to have been for $30.25 million. However, a conflict arose when CEO Rob Moore of esports organization Sentinels sued Kroenke, which effectively ended the potential deal. Instead, Riot will now evaluate applications for a new organization to step in as the LCS’s 10th franchise.

Echo Fox was introduced to the LCS when Rick Fox purchased Gravity’s 2016 NA LCS Spring Split spot. Since then, the team hasn’t achieved much other than a second place finish at 2018’s NA LCS Spring Split. The organization ended the 2019 LCS Summer Split in last place with 4 wins and 14 losses.