Doublelift Addresses Backlash, Affirms Commitment to Participating in LCS Summer Split

In response to accusations that he jeopardized the LCS walkout negotiations, League of Legends veteran Doublelift stated that he doesn’t intend to forego participating in the Summer split. The eight-time LCS champion has faced backlash after saying over the weekend that he would have no problem “letting go” of the present standoff between Riot Games, the teams, and the LCS Players Association (LCSPA) if it meant that the Summer Split and NA’s attendance at Worlds would be preserved.

Also opposing the LCS expansion with Challengers teams, Doublelift referred to the LCSPA’s list of demands as “unrealistic” and stated that the league should have fewer teams rather than more. Given that Doublelift is one of the most well-liked players in the LCS, many people think his remarks have weakened the LCSPA’s position and any remaining negotiating leverage. Christian ‘IWDominate’ Rivera, a former professional and prominent member of the League community, tweeted, “Just completely ruined the LCSPA negotiations on his stream.”

Doublelift responds to criticism

Doublelift responded to the criticism he had received for his earlier remarks in a live stream on June 4. He claimed that the idea that he destroyed discussions was “a braindead take” and said that LCSPA Executive Director Phillip Aram had even praised him for his posted video.

Doublelift remarked, “I don’t see why people think I’m hurting the negotiations. Despite stressing that what he said “doesn’t help” negotiations, the 29-year-old bot laner recognized that what he said “doesn’t help” the LCSPA. Also, He continued by stating that no one wanted Riot to cancel the Summer Split. Nobody gains from it, Doublelift remarked. “I even don’t want that to be amused. Nobody wants to be entertained by it. Philip usually cares for the players, so I doubt he does. He’s going to do an outstanding job.

It is similar to a nuclear button. Why even include that in the equation? No one will gain; only suffer. All players would be out of a job for half the year if LCS Summer were to be canceled. We’re not being paid to play solo queue while we sit around and turn on the stream. People who claim that I destroyed the discussions are delusional. Said, I don’t want that to occur. Nobody likes the LCS to be abandoned.

After that, Doublelift declared that he “wouldn’t even want there to be negotiations” if he knew that the Summer Split might be postponed due to the dispute between the association, Riot, and the teams. He remarked, “That’s so crazy.” “Fifty individuals won’t have jobs. The worth of each LCS organization will be significantly reduced. We won’t have employment. That is absurd. Nobody wants that to be the leverage.