TL;DR
- CBLoL transitions to franchise model in 2021 following team requests for stability
- Franchising eliminates relegation fears while enhancing sponsorship and investment appeal
- Brazilian league must adapt global franchising lessons to local competitive landscape
- Smaller organizations face exclusion risks but successful franchises gain asset liquidity
- Strategic planning crucial for maintaining league competitiveness during structural changes
Riot Games has initiated a transformative franchising model for CBLoL, Brazil’s premier League of Legends competition. This strategic shift represents the natural progression for mature esports ecosystems seeking sustainable growth.
On January 21, 2020, Riot Brazil unveiled comprehensive changes to the Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends. The announcement highlighted new talent development pathways, expanded sponsorship frameworks, and most significantly, the foundational implementation of franchise structures. This move aligns CBLoL with established leagues like LCS and LEC, which adopted similar models two seasons prior, demonstrating proven benefits of long-term organizational partnerships.
2021 CBLoL to be a franchised league
Carlos “Cacophonie” Antunes, head of Riot Games’ Brazilian esports operations, clarified that the franchise transition emerged directly from team organization requests. Teams recognized the stability advantages observed in other franchised leagues, where guaranteed participation enables strategic long-term planning and resource allocation.
The franchise model delivers crucial financial predictability by eliminating relegation threats. This stability dramatically improves sponsorship acquisition capabilities, as partners commit to longer-term deals with assured league presence. Organizations can now invest confidently in player development, infrastructure, and brand building without fearing sudden relegation.
Practical tip: Teams should immediately begin developing 3-year strategic plans that leverage the newfound stability, focusing on sustainable roster development rather than short-term survival tactics.
However, franchising implementation presents complex challenges that require careful navigation. Cacophonie acknowledged significant model adjustments will be necessary before the 2021 implementation, learning from both successes and shortcomings in other regions.
“To establish this stability framework, eliminate relegation pressures, and maintain competitive integrity, we must substantially refine franchise development approaches,” Cacophonie explained via ESPN translations. “Maintaining league competitiveness remains our paramount consideration during this structural evolution.”
Common mistake: Organizations often underestimate the cultural shift required when moving from promotion/relegation to franchise models, failing to adapt their competitive mindset accordingly.
The coming months will reveal detailed franchise model specifications for the Brazilian league. CBLoL must establish clear participation rules, partnership pathways, and begin formal negotiations with prospective franchise holders.
The North American LCS transition provides cautionary examples, where established organizations like Dignitas and Immortals faced significant setbacks after exclusion from the 2018 franchising program. Both required two full years to regain LCS status, suggesting smaller Brazilian teams may encounter similar competitive challenges.
Optimization tip: Prospective franchise owners should analyze successful LEC and LCS franchise applications to understand the evaluation criteria beyond mere competitive performance.
Despite potential exclusion risks, successful franchise acquisition delivers substantial long-term value. Franchise slots become transferable assets that can be sold to new investors, significantly reducing entry risk for League of Legends ecosystem participants. This asset liquidity transforms team ownership from operational expense to strategic investment.
Time estimate: Organizations should allocate 3-6 months for comprehensive franchise application preparation, including business plans, financial projections, and community engagement strategies.
The CBLoL franchising decision represents a pivotal moment for Brazil’s position in the global esports landscape. This structural evolution could accelerate the region’s competitive development, potentially closing the gap with established leagues. However, the model must be carefully calibrated to preserve the distinctive Brazilian competitive spirit that has characterized the region’s League of Legends scene.
Strategic analysis: Successful franchising implementation requires balancing financial stability with competitive intensity. Leagues that over-emphasize business considerations at the expense of sporting competition often experience viewer engagement declines.
The success of this transition will be measured not just by organizational stability, but by CBLoL’s ability to produce internationally competitive teams that can challenge at World Championships.
Action Checklist
- Analyze LCS and LEC franchise selection criteria to understand evaluation priorities
- Develop 3-year strategic plan leveraging franchise stability for roster development
- Establish financial models accounting for franchise fee structures and revenue sharing
- Create comprehensive sponsorship proposal packages highlighting franchise benefits
- Monitor Riot Brazil announcements for franchise application timelines and requirements
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Brazilian League teams want franchising, CBLoL to implement CBLoL's transition to franchising brings stability, investment opportunities, and competitive challenges for Brazilian esports