(The following is a translation of a press release that was sent to Inven Global by Riot Games)

With the announcement of the 10 final teams that will be franchised into the LCK in 2021 coming just a day earlier, KeSPA and Riot Korea announced more details of the ‘LCK Preferential Negotiation Period” 

This preferential negotiation period is for the players and coaches who are part of the teams that did not make it into the 2021 LCK franchising, before the official FA period begins. As the LCK is being revamped next year, this period of time is granted to these players to aid them in finding a new home. Not only does this allow the LCK teams to strengthen their respective rosters, but also allows them to scout how competitive the league will look like. This preferential negotiation period will only be in place this year.

Players and coaching staff from the following teams will be allowed to look for new teams in the preferential period:

• RunAway
• SeolHaeOne Prince
• Awesome Spear
• Element Mystic
• OZ Gaming
• Jin Air Green Wings
• ESC Shane

This period will be divided into two, where the newest team that’ll be joining the LCK will get a head start. That team will be able to start negotiations from 9 a.m, Oct 3rd to 8:59 a.m, Oct. 10th (KST), with all teams being able to start their negotiations from 9 a.m, Oct. 10th to 8:59 a.m, Oct. 17th (KST).

Should these players be unable to find a new team, they will be under FA status, just like other players around the world. If they are looking to find a team in the LCK or in any other league, they will be able to do so, under Riot’s global FA rules.

Prior to this press release, iInformation material with regards to this matter has been sent to all the eligible parties. Furthermore, a scouting report has been sent out to teams, which details data compiled from the opinions of the LCK teams, and will be utilized in player tryouts and negotiations.