100 Thieves’ disastrous LoL announcement has fans “scared” for their future

As a long-time 100 Thieves fan, I have to admit that this whole situation has left me feeling like a jilted lover. After years of investing my time, energy, and emotions into this team, I find myself questioning their commitment to League of Legends, the game I hold dear. Maelk’s initial statement was akin to a cold shoulder at the dance, leaving fans in a state of confusion and dismay.


As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of 100 Thieves, I found myself in a bit of a predicament after hearing the VP of Esports, Maelk, advise longtime League of Legends followers to consider other teams instead. This statement, while perhaps intended to be tactical, has sparked quite a stir among diehard 100 Thieves fans like myself. Needless to say, it’s been a challenging time for us loyal supporters.

100T will continue to be involved in the League of Legends community, but the specifics of their participation are yet to be defined. Riot Games announced that they’ll remain for another year, with their contract ending in 2025 and them not being eligible to return due to holding a “temporary guest position”.

100 Thieves’ disastrous LoL announcement has fans “scared” for their future

Currently, there’s no clear indication from the organization itself about whether they will depart from the LCS (now called LTA North) by 2025. They have expressed optimism for the future beyond this year, but the situation remains unclear, and it’s difficult to determine their exact intentions when the first year of the LTA concludes.

100 Thieves’ Vice President of Esports, Maelk, addressed fan concerns in a post on the team’s official subreddit, but instead of alleviating worries, his responses seemed to escalate them further.

As a dedicated League of Legends (LoL) gamer, if you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the LoL community and support a team with the greatest likelihood of being part of the game for the long haul, I strongly suggest backing C9 and Team Liquid. That’s what Maelk, Vice President of Esports, suggested when discussing this topic.

As a devoted supporter, I’d like to express that this brand transcends the boundaries of a single game title. It’s my belief that many enthusiasts may be overlooking a richer experience if they limit their allegiance to just one game within the brand’s expansive universe.

He mentioned that their current lineup had motivated them to stay active within the league for the time being. However, it was evident that they required the additional income generated by selling their spot to sustain their league activities.

100 Thieves CEO Nadeshot made a salary reduction in order to secure the Call of Duty team he desired due to financial constraints, and 100 Thieves’ initial comment about selling their League of Legends franchise spot back to Riot Games stated that they were leaving for business-related reasons.

Maelk has now issued an extended apology, explaining that when he first spoke, he was suggesting other organizations might be more suitable for lifelong fandom due to their strong commitment to the League of Legends community.

However, that apology hasn’t gone over particularly well, either. Here’s an excerpt:

In a somewhat playful manner, I was focusing narrowly on the aspect of long-term fan engagement related to League of Legends, implying that, given our uncertain future beyond 2025, the teams that have been part of the LCS ecosystem for a longer time and are still franchise holders might be more reliable options if your goal is enduring fandom. I then clarified my belief that fans should take pride in their support and continue to do so, as this was an attempt at humor and a misleading introduction to the following text where I elaborated on why fans have much to be proud of.

100 Thieves’ disastrous LoL announcement has fans “scared” for their future

Growing up immersed in European football traditions and fiercely loyal to my team, I would never dismiss a fellow fan or even hint that they should back the opposition. As a fan and competitor, my disdain for our rivals on the pitch runs deep – so much so that I choose not to acknowledge their presence during matches, avoid visiting their facilities, and steer clear of socializing with their players (the adversaries). We’re here not to make friends; we’re here to come out on top. This sentiment is shared by everyone at 100 Thieves.

A fan immediately replied to his apology, saying this:

“Damage is done. F**k your PR BS. You were honest yesterday and the response you got was honest.”

Some supporters expressed concern about the organization’s future, particularly those who have invested solely in Team 100T within the realm of League of Legends and have no interest in their additional esports endeavors.

As a die-hard David Szajnuk fan within the League of Legends community, I too found Maelk’s initial reaction less than satisfactory.

I appreciate the rather ungracious response I received, which came in the form of something I’ve spent countless hours cultivating for your program. Given that you seemed unable to create a fandom on your own, this is the message we get. I was unsure whether or not to share my thoughts, but anyone who holds such a perspective should not be part of the League of Legends esports community. Truly unfortunate.

Later on, he asserted that his team is yet to catch up by 100 trillion, expressing faith in their future prospects. However, it’s clear that he’s not entirely satisfied with the way things have transpired.

Although there’s a possibility the team might remain in the LCS past 2025, it’s not unexpected that their supporters are hesitant about the future given the ambiguity surrounding their League of Legends program, which has even eluded clarification from the organization’s leadership.

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2024-11-02 00:18