The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) has announced plans to introduce new salary regulations for teams.
Known as Sporting Financial Regulations (SFR), the regulations aim to support the long-term financial stability and competitive balance of EMEA’s tier-one League of Legends competition.
First reported by Blix.gg, the introduction of the SFR also looks to ensure sustainable growth and to prevent LEC teams from overspending. The new regulations will take effect at the start of the 2024 League of Legends esports season.
To ensure total salary spending does not exceed a maximum amount, the LEC SFR encourages teams to maintain the sum of the salaries paid to the five highest-paid players within a range. A low SFR threshold and a high SFR threshold are calculated using a range of market indications including LEC player salary, financial data of teams and the league’s revenue pool.
LEC teams that breach the SFR threshold will have to pay a fee which is 50% of the excess amount. If a team goes 150% over the designated threshold, a 100% excess will be paid to the LEC. The SFR will come into effect on November 21st.
Riot Games has also shared how the fees generated from the regulations will be spent. Half of the fees will go to LEC teams that complied with the SFR while the other will be distributed to support tier-two League of Legends esports in the EMEA region.
The company also announced that SFR exceptions will be made to teams if a player has entered into a contract with the organisation during or before the end of the 2023 LEC Season Finals. For this case, the ‘SFR Spend’ will be reduced by one-fifth of the SFR Threshold or the actual salary amount, depending on which is lower.
Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports EMEA, spoke on the regulations: “In the current economic climate, we are dedicated more than ever to creating a sustainable future.
“The LEC SFR, which will come into effect from the beginning of the 2024 Season, is one way in which we’re continuing to work towards our goal of long-term financial sustainability.”
