is there any substance to this claim

https://i.imgur.com/mDjxcfE.png
I really dont think there is but I want to be sure. I went through Masters, Champs and Regional leagues and it's all the same. Hell it's even higher because we had an extra league in 2024

its not true idk where they got that from

Classic case of ass pulling made up stats to support your argument. Works like a charm nowadays, president Donald Trump is a great user of this strategy

thats just wrong

League of Legends worlds prize pool saw some big drop over the years but they are still one of the most watched and played. So that guy is just wrong about prize pool of valorant AND prize pool having direct impact on the game's future.

Shit man, I want to bait people but I see actual dumbasses like the screenshot and I just wonder if they actually drank water with lead.

Even if prize money decreased I don't get how that'd make it a worse game?

Only thing he could be referencing is the overall prize money generated in each year.
Which is down this year, although the year is not over. (around $1.2m according to liquipedia)
One example of the reduction is in the collegiate prizepools.