https://twitter.com/sentinels/status/1557079049968558081?s=21&t=_wwqPh_F3qxf1q56PFHBZw
riot and sentinels work together to well and sentinels puts out the numbers also, if i had to stake my life on guaranteeing any team makes franchising, it has to be sen
My guess is 100T, Optic, and C9 are locks. Popular plus been in na valorant plus good orgs that riot likes. In terms of orgs that riot likes there’s TGRD, NRG, EG, and T1 (yes they still want to be in NA sadly). Then there’s the problem children of SEN, Faze, and TSM who’s proposals riot didnt like, but have insane amounts of popularity. My final guess (assuming 5 slots) is:
100T
C9
SEN
Optic
TGRD (hopium)
TSM are def not a lock. Riot specifically didn't like their proposal, and they're company isn't good financially. Same with Faze. Also these matches that happen right now mean NOTHING for franchising. Riot doesn't care that much what team you field or how "good" they are. They care that your org will be a good partner for the next 4 years. People are definitely thinking way too short term about this. Once franchising hits, all teams that we currently have will likely be no more. There will be an insane amount of roster moves, and I'd guess teams will snatch up free agents to make insane 8-10 man teams (with 5 players inactive) just so they can mix and match without having to deal with buyouts.
From what I'm hearing from other area's franchising, it's very surprising to me that Sen will make it. From what I understand, Riot don't give a shit about the orgs commitment to Valorant. I saw that in APAC, Paper Rex (aka the most global Asian team) didn't make it. Same guy said a franchise with NO Valorant connections / commitment made it. So for a team built off Valorant, Sen making it is surprising, despite how they carry viewership. I expect at least a few global orgs to hop out of the America's to regain a Korean spot.
In all reality, the single most locked team internationally is 100T due to their deep connection with Riot as an Org, mostly in Valorant, but also due to them being a very trendy and up-and-coming brand.
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