TL;DR
- PapaSmithy concluded his four-year LCK casting career with the 2019 Summer Finals
- He transitioned to General Manager at 100 Thieves, not joining LEC as many speculated
- His analytical depth and professional expertise made him a fan favorite commentator
- The move represents a growing trend of on-air talent transitioning to management roles
- His career path demonstrates viable progression opportunities within esports organizations
UPDATE: PapaSmithy has officially accepted the position of General Manager at 100 Thieves, marking a significant career transition.
Chris “PapaSmithy” Smith, the renowned English caster for League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), has concluded his broadcasting tenure in the Korean region after more than four impactful years.
Beginning his LCK journey in 2015 as an Australian color commentator, PapaSmithy rapidly ascended to become one of the most respected voices in League of Legends esports. His departure means viewers will no longer experience his distinctive analytical perspective during LCK match broadcasts.
The LCK 2019 Summer Playoffs served as his farewell event, with PapaSmithy utilizing Twitter to announce that the August 31 finals featuring SK Telecom T1 versus Griffin represented his final LCK championship broadcast. He emphasized the poetic symmetry of concluding his run in the identical venue where he began four years prior, sharing the booth with former LCK colleagues Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles and Erik “DoA” Lonnquist, who now work in Overwatch League coverage.
His closing LCK chapter included collaborations with broadcast partners Brendan “Valdes” Valdes and Nick “LS” De Cesare, with PapaSmithy expressing gratitude for the memorable experiences throughout his Korean esports journey.
Where is PapaSmithy casting next?
Immediately following his announcement, widespread speculation emerged suggesting he would join the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) broadcast team. However, PapaSmithy definitively refuted these assumptions through multiple channels.
He first signaled his non-move to LEC by retweeting fellow Riot Games caster Trevor “Quickshot” Henry’s response to fan inquiries, which simply stated “It’s not LEC.” Subsequent confirmation came via Reddit, where he personally addressed the circulating rumors.
The LEC transition theories gained traction primarily due to his Week 7 appearance on their analyst desk, which generated enthusiastic fan reactions and hopeful expectations.
Common Misconception: Many viewers assume regional casters naturally progress between major leagues, but organizational structures and contractual obligations often dictate different career trajectories. Understanding these behind-the-scenes factors helps explain why seemingly logical moves don’t always materialize.
PapaSmithy cultivated his audience through methodical game analysis and dedicated study of professional League of Legends mechanics. His reputation solidified as one of the premier analytical voices in the entire esports landscape.
His commentary approach combined deep strategic understanding with accessible explanations, making complex gameplay concepts understandable for viewers across skill levels.
While some community members expressed excitement about his future endeavors, others voiced disappointment about his LCK departure. The specific league for his future casting remained uncertain at the time, though he confirmed continuing his relationship with Riot Games as one of the organization’s most popular talent figures.
Expert Insight: Successful esports casters typically develop specialized analytical frameworks that distinguish their commentary style. PapaSmithy’s methodology involved breaking down macro-level strategy while maintaining engaging delivery that resonated with both casual viewers and professional players.
PapaSmithy’s transition from broadcasting to organizational leadership reflects broader industry evolution. The move to 100 Thieves as General Manager demonstrates how on-air talent can leverage their game knowledge and industry connections into management positions.
This career path showcases viable progression opportunities within esports beyond traditional casting roles. His analytical skills and deep understanding of professional gameplay translate directly into roster construction, player development, and strategic direction for competitive teams.
Industry Trend: The transition from commentator to management represents a growing pattern in mature esports ecosystems. As organizations seek leadership with genuine competitive understanding, former players and casters bring invaluable perspective to organizational decision-making.
For aspiring esports professionals, PapaSmithy’s career demonstrates the importance of developing transferable skills beyond primary responsibilities.
Action Checklist
- Analyze successful commentator career transitions to identify transferable skills
- Study multiple esports leagues to understand different broadcasting styles and organizational structures
- Develop specialized analytical frameworks for game understanding
- Build professional networks across different esports organizations
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