Griffin relegated from LCK after poor performance in Spring Split

Griffin’s competitive journey hit a devastating endpoint when Sandbox Gaming eliminated them from the LCK summer promotion lower brackets. This elimination represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in recent esports history.

The team faced relegation following consecutive defeats against Korea Challenger squad Seorabeol and then Sandbox Gaming during the promotion tournament. These losses guarantee Griffin’s absence from the Summer Split, compounding their disappointing last-place finish in the 2020 LCK Spring Split. For an organization once celebrated as world-class contenders, this outcome serves as a brutal reality check about the fragility of competitive success.

Griffin’s current performance struggles stand in stark contrast to their dominant showings in previous seasons, when they ranked among the global elite. The primary catalyst for this decline traces directly to the extensive roster restructuring during the 2019 offseason. When the Spring Split commenced, only three core members remained: Choi “Sword” Sung-won, Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong, and Do-hyeon “Viper” Park.

The team previously built their identity around an unparalleled jungle-mid synergy that propelled them to consistent top-two LCK finishes. This dynamic relied heavily on Tarzan’s jungle dominance combined with former mid laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon’s exceptional lane control and teamfighting. Before the 2020 season, Chovy departed to join Gen.G, forcing Griffin to pivot to Son “Ucal” Woo-heyon in the crucial mid lane position. Unfortunately, Ucal demonstrated significant limitations in replicating Chovy’s impact and strategic value.

Chovy’s exit represented just one component of the massive talent drain. The organization also lost Son “Lehends” Si-woo and Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon after management terminated all player contracts, granting free agent status. This decision emerged following allegations that Griffin created “unfair contracts” and coerced players into signing them.

????Farewell Lehends-Chovy-Doran

We are here to convey a piece of upsetting news. Our contract with Lehends, Doran and Chovy was ended after mutual consent. Sincerely thank you for bringing precious memories and spectacular games to Griffin and Ourfin. Best wishes. Thank you.pic.twitter.com/wi1bxu7tKk— Team Griffin LoL (@TeamGriffinLoL)November 25, 2019

Before the 2020 season, Griffin also lost long-time coach Kim “cvMax” Dae-ho. He received a complete LCK ban following player accusations of verbal and physical misconduct.

Griffin coach Byun “Chaos” Young-sub provided detailed accounts to esports media, describing systematic abuse since his arrival. These incidents included notepads being thrown during feedback sessions, players having their chairs struck, and cvMax physically grabbing players by their collars and shaking them violently.

The disciplinary action sparked intense debate throughout the League of Legends community. Some commentators noted that cvMax’s conduct, while inappropriate, reflected common coaching behaviors across the LCK, suggesting numerous other coaches would warrant similar punishment if these standards became universal. Additional controversy surrounded Sword’s openly antagonistic relationship with cvMax, highlighting deeper organizational fractures.

The combination of organizational drama and massive roster turnover created a perfect storm that devastated Griffin’s competitive performance, culminating in their LCK relegation. While this represents a disappointing outcome, it may ultimately serve as the catalyst necessary for comprehensive organizational reform and performance improvement.

For successful rebuilding, Griffin must address multiple critical areas simultaneously. Roster reconstruction requires identifying players who complement Tarzan’s aggressive jungle style while establishing new strategic identities. Cultural rehabilitation demands creating environments where talent development thrives without toxic elements. Long-term planning involves building sustainable systems that withstand roster changes while maintaining competitive integrity.

Teams facing similar transitions should prioritize scouting development, establish clear communication protocols, and implement structured mentorship programs. Understanding effective team composition principles becomes essential when rebuilding competitive rosters from limited foundations.

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