People/teams with the most pressure

Let me preface this by saying that sure vit/nrg/sen/lev will have eyes on them, but im doing this based off who has the most at stake if they don't do well this year

1. Flor. She is the one who is bridging the gap between GC and T1, and if she doesn't do well, the transphobia and misogyny will only increase
2. Yay. This year is probably his last chance to fix his image and get a chance to compete in t1 or a good t2 team
3. Demon1. Same reason as yay, if he can't look anywhere near his peak, his stocks will plummet
4. PRX. If PRX don't do well this year, I'd honestly start pulling the trigger. Idk who they'd shoot, but something will have to change.
5. Pancada. This will be the first year in what, two years? If he doesn't do well this year, stocks will plummet.
6. Team Heretics. If they don't do anywhere near what they did last year, they're going to start pulling the trigger. Miniboo has the most eyes on him i think
7. EDG. I really really really hope EDG are the team to break the champs curse, and they're already beating it by not making any changes(except letting haodong go but he was the AC), but all they need to do is get some international wins and the pressure won't be as extreme imo

HM: If Leo comes back, eyes will DEFINITELY be on him to see if he will perform to the same standard as he did before

Saadhak as well.
SEN as well, always.
LOUD in general as an org.
NRG and VIT has some expectations pressure. Jaw with G2 as well.

The three French orgs (especially Karmine Corp and Gentle Mates, because Vitality is less clouted as far as French orgs go, from what I can tell)

cloudberry [#3]

The three French orgs (especially Karmine Corp and Gentle Mates, because Vitality is less clouted as far as French orgs go, from what I can tell)

vitality is arguably the biggest esport org of all time

gentle mates has huge pressure (from riot too) to make champs

riot was considering partnering with them bc of viewership even if relegated

FNC/kaajak. Fnatic gonna look dumb letting Derke go.

Apeks.

They're putting the whole game changers reputation on their back while potentially could be getting removed from Franchising in 1 year if they miss playoffs. If they do lose, Flor will be known for only farming GC, and GC will be regarded even worse. I hope they do well, even if I think they wont.

Jamesi [#5]

FNC/kaajak. Fnatic gonna look dumb letting Derke go.

I agree with the first part, but the second part I don't. Derke wanted to explore his options and instead of keeping him in contract jail, FNC did the ethical thing to do and let him go because he wanted to compete with VIT. Look at how much backlash EG received when they(obviously) tried to keep all their players in contract jail. Sure it's a massive blow to FNC, but it was the right decision

Shadow_Monarch [#2]

Saadhak as well.
SEN as well, always.
LOUD in general as an org.
NRG and VIT has some expectations pressure. Jaw with G2 as well.

1. yes
2. sen always has pressure, but there stakes aren't as high as the people/teams i listed. their spot in franchising isn't on the line and the fans will be there no matter what
3. yes
4. SEN apply to this oen i think. they have expectations pressure, but not massive stakes. the only two of those four that the stakes are high are g2 and nrg bc nrg had an abysmal 2024 season and g2 could potentially be regulated from t1. vit is really the only one of the three that only have expectation pressure

Jamesi [#5]

FNC/kaajak. Fnatic gonna look dumb letting Derke go.

There's an evolving meta shift towards neon/yoru, etc and derke couldn't play either, Fnatic just realised they needed a way more versatile duelist than Derke.