TL;DR
- Ahahacik, former Unicorns of Love jungler, claims unpaid LCL Open Cup 2020 prize money
- Riot Games Russia allegedly made repeated payment promises that weren’t fulfilled
- The case highlights systemic issues in regional esports tournament operations
- This follows previous LCL controversies affecting league credibility
- Payment delays create significant obstacles for professional player career sustainability
A prominent League of Legends competitor has publicly disclosed an ongoing two-year battle to receive tournament winnings from a major competitive circuit.
Professional jungler Ahahacik, currently competing with Case Esports, utilized social media platforms to reveal his extended wait for compensation from the LCL Open Cup 2020. The LCL represents the premier competitive tier across Commonwealth of Independent States territories, operating under Riot Games Russia administration.
Examining Riot Games Russia’s Payment Practices
Ahahacik brings substantial competitive credibility to this dispute, having achieved international recognition during his 2019 tenure with Unicorns of Love. That roster qualified for the World Championship tournament, marking one of the highest achievements in professional League of Legends.
Documented communications indicate Ahahacik maintained consistent contact with designated Riot Games Russia personnel through both direct channels and managerial intermediaries. The player asserts that tournament organizers repeatedly assured payment distribution while continuously postponing the actual disbursement dates.
Despite verbal commitments from the Russian division of the multinational gaming corporation, Ahahacik confirms he remains uncompensated for his competitive achievements.
No prize payout 😥
Read: https://t.co/5rD7AohAgn
— Kirill Skvortsov (@ahahaciklol) February 21, 2022
Through his TwitLonger publication shared across social platforms, Ahahacik detailed the escalating frustration surrounding his unpaid winnings. His account specifies that Riot Games Russia most recently guaranteed payment processing by December 2021’s conclusion, a deadline that expired without remuneration.
Riot Games Russia appears to maintain evasive communication tactics toward the professional jungler, with the extended payment delay suggesting deliberate negligence by the regional office.
The Russian division and LCL operations have encountered prior scandals, including disciplinary measures against team RoX for implementing gender-exclusive champion bans against female-majority rosters. The competitive circuit consistently faces challenges in establishing parity with established leagues in Korea, European territories, and North American markets.
Compensation delays for competitive professionals introduce additional barriers for developing leagues striving to enhance their public perception and operational integrity. Professional players increasingly face financial instability when tournament organizers fail to meet payment obligations, creating career sustainability concerns throughout the esports ecosystem.
Industry best practices recommend establishing escrow accounts for major tournament prizes, implementing transparent payment schedules, and creating independent oversight committees to address payment disputes. Many established leagues now mandate prize distribution within 90 days of tournament conclusion to protect competitor welfare.
Action Checklist
- Document all payment agreements with tournament organizers in written form
- Establish clear payment timelines and follow-up procedures before participating
- Utilize escrow services for major tournament winnings when possible
- Research organizer payment history and reputation through player communities
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » This LoL pro has been waiting two years for prize money Professional League of Legends player reveals two-year payment delay from Riot Games Russia tournament organizers