MrBeast reportedly eyeing NACL team for LoL esports
The NACL could soon become the playground of North American content creators, as influencers like MrBeast and Tyler1 have shown an interest.
28th Jun 2023 22:30
MrBeast | Tyler1 | LCS
MrBeast reportedly eyeing NACL team for LoL esports
The NACL could soon become the playground of North American content creators, as influencers like MrBeast and Tyler1 have shown an interest.
28th Jun 2023 22:30
MrBeast | Tyler1 | LCS
North American League of Legends (LoL) is in trouble, but help might be coming. YouTube superstar Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson has expressed interest in fielding teams in the North American Challengers League (NACL).
More than this, MrBeast could be joined by other influencers, including Charles "MoistCr1TiKaL" White Jr, Ludwig Ahgren, and Tyler "Tyler1" Steinkamp. The news arrives amid the ongoing hardship of attracting a sustainable viewer base in the region and a dispute about the future of the NACL earlier this month.
Influencers flock to esports
Why become part of an esports organisation signed as a content creator when you can make your very own organisation?
With the precedent set by influencers such as Jeremy "Disguised Toast" Wang with his team Disguised (DSG) and Moist Esports, the organisation of MoistCr1TiKaL and Ludwig, more and more content creators are flocking to the industry.
According to a report by Sander "LCS Eevee" Hove, multiple names have been connected with the NACL, a developmental league sitting under the franchised League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
Among them is also YouTube phenomenon MrBeast, who had previously expressed his interest in the scene. The report also revealed that Tyler1 was allegedly turned down for participation in the NACL but has remained committed to finding ways to play a part in the league.
A lifeline for North American League of Legends?
According to esports analytics service Esports Charts, the viewership of the LCS had tanked year-over-year, with the viewership for the 2023 Summer Split sitting at an average of 6800, down from 123,000 in the Summer Split of 2022.
As one of the most tenured and well-known North American LoL organisations, Team Solid Mid announced its departure from the LCS on May 20 - seeking more fertile competitive ground in one of LoL’s other regions.
For the NACL specifically, the LCSPA had threatened a walkout of its LCS players before the start of the Summer Split in support of drastic planned changes by Riot Games to the NACL. The walkout saw the LCS delayed but was eventually resolved, though the pressure of finding sustainability for the NACL was still made clear.
The influx of influencers into the space could bring new eyes to LoL esports in the North American region, with content creators bringing their audience along and breathing new life into the scene. The NACL could be especially interesting to content creators, as it doesn't come with the presumed large price tag of a franchise spot in the LCS and more creative freedom at the developmental level.
About The Author
Sascha Heinisch
Sascha "Yiska" Heinisch is a Senior Esports Journalist at GGRecon. He's been creating content in esports for over 10 years, starting with Warcraft 3.
