Is the all-star team really not making money?

After IG fans found out that the management refused to re-sign TheShy because they couldn’t cover his expensive contract, many fans voluntarily voiced their dissatisfaction on IG’s official social media. Some fans even labeled the management as “ungrateful.” After all, TheShy brought a lot of traffic and sponsorships to IG this year, but the management was very stingy and unwilling to renew his contract. As a result, many fans suggested collectively unfollowing IG’s official account and boycotting products endorsed by IG players next season.

As IG fans heavily criticized IG management, LOL champion coach Zhu Kai spoke up during a livestream to defend the management. Zhu Kai admitted that the biggest lie in the LPL is that IG’s all-star team is profitable. He revealed that the current LPL environment is tough; many teams operate at a loss. Although IG ranks first in terms of popularity, the all-star team is still running at a loss this year. Therefore, IG management decided to cut the budget this year and gave up renewing contracts with TheShy and GALA, which led to IG being unable to acquire new players during the transfer window.

Is the IG owner just an “ordinary person”?

During the livestream, Zhu Kai revealed that the owner behind IG is actually an “ordinary person.” When the owner formed the all-star team, IG had no sponsors or strong backing; it was purely the owner’s passion driving the creation. Many industry veterans advised the owner against assembling the all-star team, warning that if IG didn’t win the world championship, such a “star lineup” would cause significant financial losses. Nevertheless, the owner chose to fund the team out of his own pocket.

Finally, Zhu Kai also admitted that IG’s all-star team is irreplaceable because many LPL owners are unwilling to lose money on such ventures. They prefer to buy cost-effective players. Since IG didn’t win the world championship this year, the team will likely disband next year. After all, the all-star team is not profitable, and the owner cannot afford to lose money every year just for passion. Many IG fans, after learning the truth about the team’s formation, collectively praised the owner’s greatness. Without him, fans might never have seen TheShy and ROOKIE reunite on the same team.

IG confirms tanking in the first split

After the owner decided not to continue investing in the team, IG’s transfer budget sharply declined. Next year’s roster will focus on “cost-effectiveness.” According to Zhu Kai, IG plans to tank in the first split. Except for mid laner ROOKIE, a star player in the LPL, the other four positions will be filled with second-tier LPL players such as top laner Solokill, jungler WEI, and AD carry XiaoP. Many fans believe that making the playoffs with this lineup next year would already be considered a success.

Although IG plans to tank in the first split, Zhu Kai also mentioned there is still room for a comeback. If IG can successfully sign top laner Huxi Ge and support Hang during the second split transfer window, there could be opportunities to strengthen other positions. Zhu Kai explained that since the LPL first split points are only 15, many teams and players have decided to tank in the first split and prepare to make a comeback in the second split. (What do you think—can IG stage a comeback in the second split transfer window?)

Conclusion

Looking back at IG’s roster this year, you’ll see that the all-star team was indeed very dreamlike. When many viewers first heard the news, they felt “deceived,” but IG did assemble this lineup. However, the results this season were not ideal. If IG had won a league championship or defeated T1 in the play-ins, I believe they would have a chance to compete as a full roster next year. (What do you think is the real reason behind the disbandment of IG’s all-star team?)