Schalke 04 Are Considering Selling LEC Spot
German League of Legends side Schalke 04 could be leaving the LEC in the near future due to financial issues that could see them sell their LEC spot.
Rumours first surfaced on February 24, before the organisation took to Twitter to address the possibility of selling their League of Legends team. With the pressures of coronavirus on their parental Football side being the root and stem of the problems for Schalke, they insisted that neither "want" nor "have" to sell their position, although this could waiver should the financial situation worsen.
Schalke 04 Esports are funded by their namesake Bundesliga club, who has been a staple in the top calibre of German football until recently. As of just three seasons ago, the Gelsenkirchen-based team found themselves perched second in the table behind the gargantuan Bayern Munich, stemming a huge cash flow into the club. However, in the present-day Schalke 04 have spiralled down to the bottom of the pack, and are staring relegation in the face which will have enormous monetary impacts on the whole club.
Within their statement, Schalke representatives Tim Reichert and Claudio Kasper stated "Due to having to face a possible relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga and not knowing when fans will be able to come back to the stadium, the club needs to look into all options to secure additional funding", before adding "this includes, but is not limited to, selling the LEC slot to an interested buyer".
On Summoners Rift, Schalke has had a turbulent start to life in the 2021 LEC Spring split, picking up crucial wins against secondary-favourites Rogue, but faltering against third-from-bottom placed Misfits. With a 5-6 record firmly perched in mid-table, Schalke has shown glimpses of their potential, but need to embed new star Sergen "Broken Blade" Çelik into the team better to challenge for titles.
The team will make for an interesting coupe for any bidders should Schalke look to cash in, although it will be a sad day should their five-year stint come to an end.
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Image via Schalke 04
