LCK to introduce Player Loan System starting 2024 Summer Split

According to a first report by Inven Global, the LCK will be introducing a new system to the league starting from the 2024 Summer Split. The system will revolve around the loan of players, allowing further opportunities for both franchise teams and upcoming players alike.

The LCK or League of Legends Champions Korea, is the premier professional league for Korean League of Legends. Riot Games, publisher for League of Legends, has announced the introduction of loan systems. The LCK is the first reported major league to adopt this system.

Player Loan System

The Player Loan System will operate in a simple manner. Firstly, the player in question must be registered as part of the team’s roster in order to be loaned out. Players who have just signed with a team may not be loaned out. This is likely to prevent teams from locking down a player in longer contracts without stable playtime to begin with.

Moreover, players who have been loaned out for 2 consecutive years must wait a full split before becoming eligible for loan once again. Loans can only occur in direct form as well, meaning between two teams. No third-party loans will be permitted. Furthermore, loaned players are protected from trades during their loan period.

Player loans can only occur domestically – meaning no loans to foreign teams. Teams borrowing the player must decide whether to assign said player to either the LCK or LCK CL (Challenger League) for participation.

Participating in more than 50% of the total team’s matches in one of the two leagues will lock the loaned player into only playing in the other league for the duration.

A total of 2 players on any given team may be eligible for loan. This total includes the combination of both loaned out players and players loaned in. Teams can also not loan out or in more than 2 players from a single team (1 from LCK and 1 from Academy). After the season’s expiration on the loan, the same player cannot be loaned back to the same team.

Loan period ranges from a minimum of 1 split to a maximum of 1 season. And the loan period for applications and approvals will only take place during the off-season, after the conclusion of said team’s domestic and international runs.

Raising The Level of the League

The idea behind implementing said system came about from the LCK’s desire to ‘positively impact’ both the teams and players, with the collective aim being to elevate the ‘overall competitiveness of the league while maintaining integrity.’

Less experienced players will then receive the opportunity to secure play time, reducing talent stagnation. Teams loaning out players will have the opportunity to assess the player’s potential outside of their usual environment. Team acquiring loaned players will be able to see short-term competitive improvements via the addition of said player.

Information taken from LCK rulebook and Inven Global report.

Credit: LCK // LoLesports

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