NAVI’s Return to League of Legends

More than six years after leaving the League of Legends scene, a well-known esports organization, Natus Vincere (NAVI), is looking to re-enter by joining the LEC. According to reports, NAVI is in advanced discussions to acquire Rogue’s slot in the league.

Previous Involvement in League of Legends

NAVI is not entirely new to League of Legends. Their earlier involvement ended in 2017 when their roster, competing in the Tier-2 scene, disbanded. Although they stepped away from League of Legends for several years, this move indicates a revived interest in the league.

Rogue’s Exit from the LEC

Rogue has been considering selling their LEC slot for a few months. This aligns with reports from July 2024, indicating that Rogue was exploring options to exit the League of Legends European Championship.

The sale of Rogue’s slot is reportedly prompted by their poor performance. In the 2024 season, Rogue faced challenges, finishing in 9th place in the Winter Split. This might have influenced their decision to look for potential buyers for their LEC spot.

Current Negotiations

As of March 26, 2025, NAVI is reportedly in talks with Rogue about acquiring their LEC slot. Although discussions have been ongoing, the acquisition is not yet finalized. Changes in the esports scene can happen swiftly, and the outcome of these negotiations might unfold over the next few weeks or months.

Rogue’s 2025 Roster

Despite ongoing negotiations about selling their slot, Rogue had already put together a team for the 2025 LEC season. The roster consists of:

• Top: Adam “Adam” Maanane
• Jungle: Kim “Malrang” Geun-seong
• Mid: Emil “Larssen” Larsson
• ADC: Patrik “Patrik” Jírů
• Support: Lee “Execute” Jeong-hoon (formerly known as JeongHoon)

Impact on the LEC

The potential addition of NAVI to the LEC will be a significant change. The league has seen various developments in recent years with teams like Karmine Corp entering the scene and replacing long-standing team members.

NAVI’s Presence in Esports

NAVI is recognized widely in the esports community. They have a strong presence across different games, including Counter-Strike and Rainbow Six Siege. Entering the LEC would considerably broaden their scope in the esports arena, enhancing their influence across multiple gaming titles.

While the negotiations are yet to be concluded officially, the discussions between NAVI and Rogue highlight NAVI’s intention to make a strategic return to League of Legends. The outcome of these ongoing talks remains to be seen, underlining a dynamic period ahead for both organizations and the LEC. Stay tuned as these developments unfold, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of League of Legends.

“`