Leena claims TSM no longer sees value in having a good LCS team

TSM’s League of Legends Championship Series campaign has descended into complete turmoil, with the organization making the controversial decision to bench rookie support Wei “Shenyi” Zije following a disastrous 0-4 start to the season. This abrupt move has ignited fan outrage, particularly given the extensive promotional buildup surrounding Shenyi’s acquisition. Compounding these competitive struggles, Riot Games has launched formal investigations into allegations that TSM maintains a toxic workplace environment, creating additional organizational instability.

The League of Legends community initially pointed fingers at former general manager Parth “Parth” Naidu for assembling what many consider an underwhelming roster. However, former esports president Aileena “Leena” Xu has publicly refuted these claims, asserting that the current lineup doesn’t reflect Parth’s original vision. This creates a critical distinction between roster construction responsibility and final approval authority within TSM’s hierarchy.

During a revealing stream session with former TSM star Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, Leena detailed the extensive efforts she and Parth invested during the 2021 offseason to retain legendary mid laner Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg. When Bjergsen ultimately signed with Team Liquid, the management duo pivoted to secure an alternative veteran lineup featuring Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen, Doublelift himself, and support specialist Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme.

TSM’s upper management ultimately vetoed this proposed roster, deeming the financial investment “not worth the cost” despite its potential for immediate competitive success. According to Leena’s account, the organization prioritized implementing a “development project” approach focused on cultivating emerging talent rather than pursuing established veterans who could deliver faster results.

This strategic decision reflects a fundamental philosophical shift in how TSM approaches roster construction, moving away from immediate championship contention toward long-term player development. This approach carries significant competitive risk, as developing unproven talent typically requires multiple splits before yielding meaningful results.

TSM CEO Andy “Reginald” Dinh directly countered Leena’s assertions through a detailed Reddit post. He maintained that the veteran roster proposed by Leena would have incurred identical costs to the current lineup, challenging her characterization of the decision as financially motivated. Reginald emphasized that the revised roster structure represented a strategic choice focused on “building a winning roster over a three-year period” rather than short-term cost reduction.

The public disagreement between former and current executives reveals deep-seated philosophical divisions within TSM’s leadership regarding optimal team-building strategies. This public airing of internal disagreements has further damaged organizational credibility among the League of Legends community.

Leena’s revelations extended beyond roster decisions, highlighting TSM’s evolving investment priorities. She disclosed that the organization no longer considers the LCS a worthwhile investment vehicle, instead redirecting financial resources toward mobile gaming initiatives. This strategic reallocation played a significant role in her decision to depart from TSM.

The organization’s apparent devaluation of its LCS operations raises serious questions about long-term commitment to competitive League of Legends. This shift mirrors broader industry trends where established esports organizations explore diversification beyond traditional PC gaming titles.

For players looking to optimize their own gaming experience, understanding these organizational dynamics provides valuable context for evaluating team performance. Just as in BF6 class selection, successful team building requires alignment between strategic vision and resource allocation.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Leena claims TSM no longer sees value in having a good LCS team Inside TSM's controversial roster decisions and the strategic shift that led to organizational turmoil