Interview: Global Head of LoL Esports at First Stand 2025, Chris Greeley: "We're also helping with third-party competitions, so that not only pro-level but also amateur teams can become self-sustaining and generate revenue,"

https://www.dailyesports.com/view.php?ud=202503161606528425b91e133c1f_27

Full Translation:
Greeley, Global Head of LoL Esports, "Creating an Esports for the Next 30 Years"

March 16, 2025, 20:06:18

Chris Greeley, Global Head of League of Legends Esports

"I'm satisfied with the path we've walked for the past 15 years, and I'm looking forward to the future. I hope it becomes an esports that we can look forward to for the next 30 years."

Chris Greeley, Global Head of League of Legends Esports, said in an interview with the media ahead of the Grand Seoul LoL Park First Stand finals in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 16th, "The goal of LoL esports is not to become an esports that generates a lot of revenue," he explained. "We're focusing on building a sustainable ecosystem. We're continuously communicating with pro teams and seeking self-sustaining possibilities. We're thinking about how we can generate revenue, such as through digital money."

He continued, "We're also helping with third-party competitions, so that not only pro-level but also amateur teams can become self-sustaining and generate revenue," he added. "LoL esports isn't a sport where Riot Games thinks it's the only one making money. I think it can only continue if it supports a structure and ecosystem where everyone can generate revenue and grow together."

He also said, "I want LoL esports to become an esports that embraces various generations," and "I'm satisfied with the path we've walked for the past 15 years, and I'm looking forward to the future. I hope it becomes an esports that we can look forward to 30 years from now."

He also gave a positive evaluation of the 'Fearless Draft' currently being implemented in First Stand. He said, "We've had many discussions internally, and we've collected feedback through communication with players, pro gaming teams, and regional leagues. Everyone has responded positively." He continued, "In a tournament at a competitive level, various strategies and picks were able to come out. From the fans' perspective, they were satisfied because they could see great physicals through various picks that players would normally not be able to use. From now on, we will continue to closely review data and feedback until MSI and collect many responses and reactions."

He emphasized, "In Korea, we held 'LoL the Next' and in North America, we held 'Scouting Ground'. In Europe, we held an event to find promising players through regional reviews," and "We are considering how to create a system that can nurture promising players as we look to the future."

Finally, referring to information provided by the General Manager of the league, he noted, "The total prize pool for 'First Stand' is set at $1 million, the MSI prize pool is set at $2 million (about 2.9 billion won), and the Worlds prize pool is set at $5 million (about 7.2 billion won). If the digital merch revenue is added to the basic prize pool, the amount will increase further. For reference, the total prize pool for MSI last year was $250,000, and the Worlds prize pool was $2.25 million."