Ukraine-based esports organization Natus Vincere (NAVI) is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) slot from esports organization Rogue, according to a report from Sheep Esports. The discussions are said to involve a cash deal for an undisclosed sum, with final approval pending from Riot Games.
The potential deal draws comparisons with the most recent transaction. In late 2023, Riot Games approved the transfer of Astralis’ LEC slot to France-based Karmine Corp in a deal valued at $27.4 million USD. Karmine Corp’s team officially debuted during the 2024 LEC Winter Split. That arrangement featured a structured payment schedule from 2023 to 2025, with Astralis retaining a 33.33% capital interest in the jointly owned entity AK-Game SAS, along with provisions for additional share transfers to a full 100% cession by 2031. The progress of those payments remains undisclosed.
A source at Infinite Reality—the parent company of ReKTGlobal, which manages Rogue’s operations—told The Esports Advocate on Thursday that discussions with NAVI are indeed underway. However, no additional details on pricing or deal structure were provided. Riot Games declined to comment on the matter, and NAVI did not respond to a request for comment. As is customary, any sale or transfer of an LEC slot will require final approval from the league, with Riot responsible for the subsequent public disclosure.
Previous reporting from Sheep Esports in July 2024 indicated that Team Falcons had also been in negotiations with Rogue’s owners over the LEC slot, though those talks ultimately did not materialize. That report also noted that Riot had earlier blocked a bid by Team Falcons to acquire Astralis’ slot in 2023—that slot was eventually sold to Karmine Corp. Some sources at the time suggested concerns over ownership structures, potentially linked to companies associated with the Saudi Arabian government or its Public Investment Fund, played a role; however, Team Falcons has consistently denied any such affiliations.
In a broader context, Infinite Reality is signaling a strategic pivot away from its esports focus. Over the last year, the company has made significant acquisitions, including the Drone Racing League in April 2024 for $250 million and the music service Napster earlier this week for $207 million. Additionally, Infinite Reality signed a letter of intent in January to acquire ecommerce site Bess, following the closure of a $3 billion funding round from a private investor. These moves underscore a broader diversification into ecommerce, AI, and extended reality.