Okay, I read it again, and I apologize for the rambling. I'm writing this at 3am while feverishly typing on my VLR with influenza, so my intelligence is at monkey level. I admit it.
Riot thinks of this business from the top down. Bundles for 2024 T1, a team that couldn't have been more of an asshole, a team that no one watched because it was too painful to watch, sold more than Zeta, simply because fakers exist. The difference in Korean viewership between the 2024 Shanghai finals and the 2025 Bangkok finals was more than 2x. viewerships can easily swings with dramas and other shit. Locally, yes.
but historical viewership ranking is madrid, champs 2022, lock//in, champs 2024, Bangkok, and it's not consistent and doesn't grow much.
Think about the tampering that has been done to the league in the meantime. Every year has been a mess, but overall, the scene hasn't gotten worse or better before or after the franchise. It's the #2 FPS and #3 overall esport, and has reached its growth ceiling.
So Riot is going to get more hands on and cut what they don't need, which is why I say cutting, not growth, is the priority. They don't care about regional viewers, they'll cut off a limb, and it won't matter for a long time, that's all. but it will be no a huge portion of the audience is going to disappear no matter what.
Of course, the fanless organizations will be cut first, but not necessarily because they are free riders. Faria will sincerely believe that they are for tier 2.