League of Legends: Schalke 04 Esports LEC spot sale news
Schalke 04 Esports confirm the sale of their LEC spot for €26.5 million to Team BDS. After months of rumours and deliberation by the European Esports outfit. A heartfelt statement regarding the Schalke esports LEC sale was finally released to the public on the 29th of June.
Schalke 04 esports statement regarding LEC sale
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Indeed, Schalke 04 announced that it is with sadness that they would be hanging up their boots due to financial strain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the relegation of Schalke 04 FC from the German topflight football division (Bundesliga 1), after being a major part of the League of Legends European Championship since 2016.
In their statement, the German Esports team explained how they tried their best to find another solution, however, this was to no avail. The selling process was then handled with care as they meticulously sought out a replacement. They managed to find a buyer willing to pay €10 million more than they originally expected.
They go on to thank Riot Games for their warm welcome back in 2016 when the team first joined, what was then the EU LCS and their continued support throughout their time in the league.
In very Schalke fashion, they also thanked the fans for following them on this journey and reminded them of some of the magical moments that made this team so special (we all remember the 2020 ‘miracle run’).
However, Schalke 04 Esports time is not up just yet as they are currently finishing the 2021 LEC Summer Split. They had a rough start to their summer and currently sit 9th in the league with 3 wins and 8 losses. Although, Schalke never disappoint and have already upset the two LEC titans that are Fnatic and G2 Esports. This also means they have a chance to qualify for the first time in their existence, and presumably the last, for the League of Legends 2021 World Championship.
They will need some Schalke magic to qualify.
All you need to know about the Swiss Organisation, BDS
Many teams were rumoured to be taking over Schalke’s spot in the LEC. Nevertheless, as mentioned in their statement Schalke 04 and Riot Games proceeded in a very professional style to find the best fit for Europe’s finest.
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Team BDS is a new organisation originating from Switzerland and currently owned by the Spoelberch family (net worth between 6 and 12 million).
The team is based in France, where they play in the LFL (La Ligue Française de League of Legends). They joined France’s second division in 2020 where they smashed the competition to finish first and get promoted in their first season.
In the 2021 LFL Spring split they finished 3rd, with 12 wins and 6 losses just behind EU Masters champions Karmine Corp who finished 1st and Misfits Premier, in 2nd. They are now battling their way through a way tight LFL Summer split and are drawn in 6th, with 5 wins and 6 losses alongside GamersOrigin.
Team BDS may seem new on the League of Legend scene. Nonetheless, their Rocket League and Rainbow Six: Siege teams are more established, having played in major tournaments for both games respectively.
Schalke 04 Esports will be missed by European fans. Meanwhile, the Swiss organisation Team BDS replacing them are not to be taken lightly and should prove to be good competition for the existing LEC teams. In any case, that’s all for this piece on the Schalke esports LEC sale news.
