the guard have a MASSIVE backer, if they can prove that they can sustain a fanbase they should easily get by.
also the guard are part of the OW league (not by name but still connected, LA gladiators i think) this shows that the org has experience with franchising
nah, American teams were already loaded with talent and competition. sure, kr had 1 slot but there was Berlin 2 slots and lcq, which were objectively easier to get than competing for a spot in na.