TSM Sells LCS Seats and “League of Legends” Team to Shopify Rebellion, Ending an Era of Dominance in North American Esports
The renowned esports team TSM recently made an announcement that sent shockwaves through the gaming community. On September 20, TSM revealed that it had sold its LCS seats and “League of Legends” team to Shopify Rebellion, effectively bringing an end to their eleven-year journey in the League of Legends esports scene. TSM had been a dominant force, winning a staggering seven league championships and capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. However, this move signifies the slow decline of North American esports.
This is the second time a North American team has departed from the LCS, with the previous sale being SLA in the middle of the year. However, TSM’s sale differed in a fortunate way. According to reports, TSM managed to sell their slot for a whopping $10 million, a significant sum that mirrors the initial investment they made when the LCS was established as a league.
Shopify Rebellion, the new owners of the LCS seats and team, is backed by the Canadian multinational e-commerce company Shopify. With a current market value of $68 billion, Shopify is the second-largest e-commerce platform in the United States after Amazon. This acquisition highlights their strong financial backing and commitment to the esports industry.
Throughout their eleven-year tenure in the North American League of Legends scene, TSM’s contributions and impact were undeniable. Even before the formation of the LCS in 2013, TSM had been fostering the gaming community through various events. They also represented North America in the inaugural World Championship, cementing their status as pioneers.
Upon entering the LCS, TSM continued their dominance by clinching championships in the first season (spring 2013) and following it up with victories in summer 2014, spring 2015, summer 2016, spring and summer 2017, and summer 2020. Although they faced challenges in recent years and couldn’t replicate their earlier success, TSM remains the most successful team in the history of North American League of Legends.
TSM’s legacy extends beyond their championship titles. They have nurtured numerous talented players and were instrumental in the growth of the esports industry. Notable names like DoubleLift, WildTurtle, Hauntzer, Tactical, Spica, Bjergsen, Reginald, Amazing, and even Taiwanese player Maple have proudly donned the TSM jersey. Additionally, TSM’s investment in other games, such as APEX, CSGO, PUBG, and Fortnite, demonstrates their significant presence in North American esports.
However, recent challenges have impacted TSM’s stability. The collapse of their sponsor, cryptocurrency exchange FTX, and the decline of the North American esports market led to declining ratings and financial difficulties. These circumstances ultimately forced TSM to make the difficult decision to sell their League of Legends division.
In their remarkable eleven-year journey, TSM amassed a total of seven league championships in the LCS, along with an international title, representing North America’s first triumph on the international stage. TSM’s passionate fan base, often seen and heard rallying behind them, created a unique and emotional connection that spanned the globe. The team expressed gratitude towards their fans, staff, and players, acknowledging that none of their achievements would have been possible without their unwavering support and dedication.
As TSM bids farewell to the LCS, their departure is met with mixed emotions. The league officials also chimed in, expressing their gratitude for TSM’s contributions over the years. The void left by TSM’s exit will undoubtedly be felt, as they leave behind a legacy of unforgettable moments and a lasting impact on the esports landscape.
Throughout their journey, TSM produced countless memorable moments that will forever be etched in the minds of fans. From defeating an undefeated Samsung at the 2014 World Championship to Dyrus’s tearful retirement interview in 2015 and DoubleLift’s incredible performance in the 2016 Summer Finals, TSM continuously captivated audiences.
The chants of “TSM! TSM! TSM!” resonated worldwide, creating waves of excitement and unity among black-and-white fandom. The memories TSM forged will be cherished by fans for years to come, standing as a testament to their extraordinary legacy.
The well-known team TSM announced on September 20 that it would sell its LCS seats and “League of Legends” team to Shopify Rebellion, ending the eleven-year League of Legends esports road. During this time, it they won a total of seven league championships, creating It has produced countless wonderful scenes and has been hailed as a “cult” by global audiences. Unfortunately it has come to an end, a symbol of the gradual demise of Northern e-sports. America.
The trend is gone, veteran SLA and TSM teams have left one after the other
This is the second time a North American team has left the LCS since SLA was resold in the middle of this year, but this time TSM is luckier than SLA, who were sold at a low price, because according to the New York reporter Times Kellen Browning, TSM sold the game for 10 million US dollars, and this amount of money is also exactly equivalent to the amount paid by TSM when the LCS became a league.
TSM sold the slot to Shopify for about $10 million, per a source
— Kellen Browning (@Kellen_Browning) September 20, 2023
Shopify Rebellion, which took over the LCS seats and teams, has its parent company Shopify, a Canadian multinational e-commerce company. It is currently the second largest e-commerce platform in the United States after Amazon, with a current market value of US$68 billion It can be said to be an A company with a strong capital.
TSM has been working hard in the North American League of Legends for eleven years. Even before the birth of the LCS North American Professional League in 2013, TSM held many events to nurture the community. It was also one of the teams that took part in the first World Championship;
After entering the LCS, TSM won the championship in the first season (spring 2013), and then successfully crowned the king in summer 2014, spring 2015, summer 2016, spring and summer 2017, and summer 2020. Although that they did not go further in the last three years, But this is still the team that has won the most championships in the history of North America.
The 2020 Summer Split champion was also TSM’s last league champion. Photo taken from LCS Twitter.
During this period, TSM created many great shots and touching moments, and cultivated many well-known players, such as DoubleLift, WildTurtle, Hauntzer, Tactical, Spica, Bjergsen, Reginald, Amazing … and so on. well-known Taiwanese player Maple With the addition of SwordArt, it is the first foreign team to introduce a Taiwanese manager.
TSM’s popularity is not limited to North America, it is also one of the most well-known in the world, and has action teams in many games, such as the APEX team that recently won the world championship, CSGO, PUBG, Fortnite … , it can be seen that TSM is in the field of North American e-sports The investment is very huge.
However, at the end of 2022, it experienced the collapse of its sponsor, the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which caused the sponsorship of up to 210 million US dollars to disappear. In addition to the decline of the North American e-sports market, it hit ratings at an all-time low, and finally forcing TSM to make a decision to sell the League of Legends division.
The moment the TSM APEX team won the ALGS championship. Image taken from TSM Twitter.
11 years, 7 league titles, 1 international title
There were rumors that TSM was going to resell seats, but everything was finally settled after TSM issued a statement on Twitter on 9/20.
In 11 years, TSM won 7 league championships in the LCS and brought back 1 international championship to North America, which was also the first international trophy in North America.
The cheers of TSM fans once echoed around the world. In every venue where they played, the memories of everyone laughing and crying together became an unforgettable emotional connection. TSM emphasized that “without the support of the fans and the efforts of the staff, Without the dedication and commitment of the players, none of this would be possible.” The spirit of TSM will remain in everyone’s hearts forever. “Thank you to the LCS for the memories it brought us.”
Today is our last day in the LCS.
11 years, 7 domestic championships, 1 international title.
Together, we have established an unparalleled dynasty and brought their first ever international trophy to North America. We’ve made the voices of black-and-white fandom heard across… pic.twitter.com/W6nSuvg1ry
— TSM (@TSM) September 20, 2023
The LCS league official also announced a message to say goodbye to TSM. “From their first league game, to their seven LCS championships, to countless victories, records and awards, they have always been with us.” Thanks to everyone for each one. others, go with me through these eleven years.
Today we say goodbye to TSM.
From the very first game played in the league, to their seven LCS titles, to their countless wins, records and awards, they’ve been with us through it all.
Thank you to TSM and its staff, players, and fans for eleven wonderful years. 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/oKzJu0dNZZ
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) September 20, 2023
TSM！ TSM！ TSM！
If you ask the author, there are three events that impressed TSM the most:
First, at the 2014 World Championship, TSM bloodied the then undefeated Samsung in the quarterfinals;
Second, at the 2015 World Championship, Dyrus, then the top laner, was moved to tears in front of the camera during a post-match interview because he was about to retire;
Third, in the 2016 Summer Finals, DoubleLift used Lucien to play an unscientific team battle in the middle to destroy C9.
“TSM! TSM! TSM! ” The waves formed by the black and white team uniforms caused ripples in the hearts of the global audience. Thank you TSM for bringing us all kinds of memories, which will be wonderful memories of our generation.
Photo taken from LCS Twitter.
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