A coles notes version of the last few years may help explain Riot's hesitancy to grant Optic a spot in the upcoming VCT.
Optic (and h3cz) have a problematic history with Riot (the LOL debacle). Franchised leagues in general (OWL issues). And even other organizations (NRG).
You cannot deny what H3cz built. Sold. And then reacquired. But you have to remember that he:
Sold the majority of his organization for a LOL spot and VC money.
Personally abandoned the team (and the LOL Spot) when he did not like the direction the company was heading.
Indirectly forced the sale of the LOL spot to Immortals.
Bought into the CDL with NRG, abandoning an OWL team (one org couldn't own two teams) in the process.
Abandoned the NRG and reacquired OpTic, ending up with two CDL spots (eventually selling the 'original' LA Optic to 100t).
And most recently, abandoned his Chicago CDL spot to merge with NV.
Hecz finessed a bunch of people. Made a bunch of money. And while I respect his game. Hustle that hard has consequences.
Why did Riot choose NRG over Optic? Why did they choose Sen over Optic? Why did they choose Cloud 9 over Optic? Why did they (potentially) choose C9 and 100t over Optic?
Riots only goal is to make money. I would argue of the rip and on the surface Optic makes the league more money then AT LEAST NRG. Probably more then EG. Maybe more then C9?
Instead of arguing semantics, try to justify what made Riot choose 5 other teams over Optic?
In my opinion: It has to do with perceived stability. Regardless of the exact timeline Optic and by extension, h3cz does not have a glowing history as a league partner. And, for better or for worse, NV decided the hitch their cart to the Greenwall.
Instead of getting angry or arguing pedantry, explain to me in detail why other organizations were selected.
Because on paper Optic should be slam dunk.
Why OPTC didnt get in. Via Reddit
Cloud 9: good org, involved in multiple franchised leagues with support. invested in valorant with main roster, female roster, academy roster.
Sentinels: Crazy viewership, heavily involved in the game, has the money to back them
nrg: rich as shit, succeeded in franchised leagues before (owl),
100t: good infrastructure in place, involved in lcs.
Eg: an org that supports the scene, literally one of the only lcs teams to have NA talent + their attempts at saving NA cs (they have 3 rosters)
Optic: Bad history with riot, unstable org like you said sold owl(in and out scandal aswell)/lcs spots, was literally envy a year ago. they literally disbanded 3 years ago
CPU [#7]W post, but if Riot purely wanted to make money wouldn't TSM made franchising?
tsm will boost views in ascendent leauge so viewers will know who the ascendent teams are when they join next year
capital_d_colon [#5]Cloud 9: good org, involved in multiple franchised leagues with support. invested in valorant with main roster, female roster, academy roster.
Sentinels: Crazy viewership, heavily involved in the game, has the money to back them
nrg: rich as shit, succeeded in franchised leagues before (owl),
100t: good infrastructure in place, involved in lcs.
Eg: an org that supports the scene, literally one of the only lcs teams to have NA talent + their attempts at saving NA cs (they have 3 rosters)
Optic: Bad history with riot, unstable org like you said sold owl(in and out scandal aswell)/lcs spots, was literally envy a year ago. they literally disbanded 3 years ago
wow didnt know NRG had that amount of money, i dont follow esports outside of valorant
azraelmdfk [#10]wow didnt know NRG had that amount of money, i dont follow esports outside of valorant
yep they were 9th most valuable org in 2021.
combined with the fact they arent shady either.
their ceo is estimated to be worth 400m+ aswell.
capital_d_colon [#5]Cloud 9: good org, involved in multiple franchised leagues with support. invested in valorant with main roster, female roster, academy roster.
Sentinels: Crazy viewership, heavily involved in the game, has the money to back them
nrg: rich as shit, succeeded in franchised leagues before (owl),
100t: good infrastructure in place, involved in lcs.
Eg: an org that supports the scene, literally one of the only lcs teams to have NA talent + their attempts at saving NA cs (they have 3 rosters)
Optic: Bad history with riot, unstable org like you said sold owl(in and out scandal aswell)/lcs spots, was literally envy a year ago. they literally disbanded 3 years ago
the guard: hella money, franchised in owl (la gladiators) dedicated to valorant scene
Luck_ [#16]the guard: hella money, franchised in owl (la gladiators) dedicated to valorant scene
they are reletively new to valorant thou
Luck_ [#16]the guard: hella money, franchised in owl (la gladiators) dedicated to valorant scene
Yeah I think the decision to not include The Guard purely came from the fact that the org is so new in Valorant and the unstable nature of if they would be dedicated enough long term over Orgs that have been in the scene from the beginning.
CPU [#7]W post, but if Riot purely wanted to make money wouldn't TSM made franchising?
tsm has a history of mismanagement. Stability of an organization also takes play
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