While a majority of League of Legends pundits have come out in support of the LCS walkout this week, there are some who are questioning LCSPA director Phillip Aram and the association—including outspoken former pro IWDominate, who said he suspected the LCSPA of pushing its own agenda.
While IWD did note the result of the walkout could benefit the wider ecosystem in a series of tweets on May 30, he remains skeptical about just how much the association cares about North American League’s second tier.
“I refuse to believe the actions of the LCSPA are genuine,” the streamer then wrote in another tweet before dubbing several key LCSPA members ‘grifters.’
In response, members of the community accused IWD of ‘bootlicking’, pointing out the delay and potential shutdown of the LCS would mean a cut revenue stream for the former player, who streams league matches on the regular.
Related: What is the LCS walkout and what does it mean?
The League streamer was unfazed by the comments, noting his prior history with Riot—in particular, his removal from the League Partnership Program in 2020—would suggest otherwise regarding his stance on the topic.
In the same series of tweets, IWD stood in agreement with an earlier thread from esports personality Veteran too, in which Veteran points out his concerns with the walkout and the LCSPA’s lack of mandate surrounding the statement regarding ‘scab players.’
While the majority of the League world is otherwise standing behind the player association and its strike this week, many will be awaiting the outcome of the Summer strike and just how beneficial the results will actually be for upcoming division two League players.
The drama surrounding the LCSPA walkout has only just begun, following Riot’s decision to delay the opening day of the 2023 LCS Summer Split to discuss terms.
