Introduction: The S16 season has officially begun, and most players have been closely following recent competitions. All major regional tournaments have concluded, and a brief offseason is underway. The intense global Pioneer Cup will officially kick off on the 16th. Over the past few days, a surprising piece of news has emerged that has caught everyone’s attention. During a live stream, AJ, a close friend of Zitai, unexpectedly revealed that the RNG team hasn’t disbanded because its Honor of Kings division is still profitable. This revelation quickly stirred up a heated discussion among players, especially given RNG’s numerous outstanding debts—why is the organization still allowed to operate normally?

Zitai reveals that RNG hasn’t bankrupted or disbanded.

Most players are quite familiar with RNG, a veteran powerhouse in the LPL region with exceptionally high popularity and influence. Back in the S7 and S8 seasons, they secured the LPL championship, and the all-Chinese lineup’s popularity soared, attracting fans worldwide. During that period, RNG aggressively expanded, becoming one of the few profitable clubs in the LPL at that time. Perhaps due to overly broad investments leading to cash flow issues, after losing star AD player Uzi, RNG’s financial situation began to deteriorate.

Over the past two years, amid insufficient funding, RNG’s overall roster has progressively weakened, even resorting to multiple rookie players. After being eliminated in the second stage of the S15 season, RNG completely withdrew from competitions, even skipping subsequent secondary team matches. Many believed the club was doomed, given numerous reports of unpaid debts—not only salaries for players and coaching staff but also outstanding payments to suppliers. The team owner even became labeled as a delinquent debtor. Although RNG hasn’t appeared in the S16 season, a recent live stream by Zitai and AJ has reignited intense discussion around the team.

During their casual chat, they touched on RNG’s issues. Both being veteran players and once promoted by RNG’s community, they have insider knowledge. AJ directly stated that RNG’s Honor of Kings division is still profitable, and whether they will exit remains uncertain. Indeed, checking Honor of Kings competitions shows RNG still participates, even recruiting new players. While both divisions belong to RNG Esports Club, they likely operate independently, otherwise debt issues wouldn’t be so clearly separated. It seems their contracts are exceptionally structured, allowing one division to function normally despite massive debts elsewhere.

Checking updates on RNG Club, the latest news remains about mid-laner Tangyuan’s departure—he was the last professional player in RNG Club. After his exit, the club removed all sponsorships and hasn’t responded publicly, ignoring all debt issues. The most affected appears to be support player Ming, who was nearly ready to start streaming but was halted by the club. Uzi publicly stated during a stream that Ming’s best outcome now is to stream normally, with no chance of returning to professional play—RNG won’t allow him back on the competitive stage.

Final thoughts:

Honestly, RNG’s management has gradually tarnished its own reputation. They had many opportunities to redeem themselves—for instance, when Uzi wanted to leave, reducing demands or reaching an agreement could have improved their public image. Instead, they’ve now been branded as “contract masters,” and despite past honors, sponsors avoid supporting them. In truth, their exit might be beneficial for many.

What are your views on this matter?