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Let's not kid ourselves here, the LCS is EASILY the worst major region. In several years, it's not unfeasible that some minor regions begin to outperform the LCS at international events.
Recently, we've even seen a decrease in viewership and investment in the league largely due to these poor performances, while European viewership increases or at least remains stable due to their strong performances.
This seems odd, just due to the amount of money that exists in the scene and how the US is able to draw in exceptional players who aren't even necessarily past their prime. Pyosik coming over after just winning worlds is the most recent example.
Why do our players perform worse, and why do players that we bring over from other regions perform worse and worse the longer they are in the LCS? One might say that it's due to subpar soloqueue, worse teams to practice against, more lax culture, distractions, and more focus on branding and marketing over performance. This is ALL true, but we often fail to ask the NEXT question - WHY?!
The answer is simple: Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is a city that drowns in its own aura of a unique combination of hedonism, sloth, and social media driven neo-performative-marketacapitalism. This culture exists primarily and is disseminated from this area of Southern California. In fact, it's so well spread through media and pop culture that many think THIS is the American culture? FALSE
Most blue blooded, God fearing Americans such as myself are hard working, unboastful, nose-to-the-grindstone types. We work for what we own and are proud of it, but don't need to post about it on Instagram 20 times a day alongside a photo of our 15th Nobu sushi dinner this month.
My suggestion is that we move the LCS to Gary, Indiana in order to instill good old fashion hard working American values in our players and staff, solve our competitive woes, and save the LCS in the long term. This will work for the following reasons.
Soloqueue issues? You and all other pro players are now RIGHT next to the Chicago servers.
Want to take a break after 1 scrim block? TO DO WHAT?! Welcome to Middle America boys, we're all bored out of our mind. Might as well grind some more!
Interested in getting a girlfriend and taking her out to Nobu? Man you're AT LEAST going to have to drive to Chicago for something remotely close that, and we already know most pro players can barely drive as it is. Hope you're into Big Bertha from across the street and taking her to the local diner for a patty melt!
Instead of being surrounded by WEAK and EFFEMINATE marketing and social media losers in LA, you're surrounded by blue-collar factory working TRUE BLOODED AMERICANS. This culture will slowly infuse itself into our players and staff.
Move the LCS to Gary, Indiana in Summer 2023. Better environment = better culture = better play = better league = better international performances = better viewership = better sponsorships = saved league.
You're welcome.
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