100 Thieves VP of Esports Maelk recently suggested that fans primarily dedicated to League of Legends should consider other teams, sparking a backlash among diehard supporters.
Though 100T remains in the LoL ecosystem, their future role is uncertain. Riot’s statement indicated they’d stay until 2025 with a “provisional guest slot” that will expire, possibly preventing them from continuing in the league.
One standout player, Sniper, has been a long-term investment for 100 Thieves, yet his future with the team is unclear beyond 2025. The organization hasn’t confirmed if it’s leaving LCS (now called LTA North) but expressed a desire to stay involved beyond 2025, though details remain murky.
Attempting to ease fans’ concerns, Maelk answered questions on 100 Thieves’ subreddit, but his comments had an opposite effect. “If your priority is lifetime involvement with League of Legends, I’d suggest supporting C9 and Team Liquid,” he said, adding that the 100T brand extends beyond any single game.
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Despite his initial optimism about the current roster, Maelk noted that selling their slot helped fund operations, with CEO Nadeshot even taking a pay cut to secure the CoD roster. Riot explained 100T’s decision to sell its spot back was for “business reasons.”
Following the backlash, Maelk issued an apology, clarifying his advice on lifetime fandom and loyalty was meant to highlight teams with long-standing involvement in League, but it didn’t sit well with fans. Here’s a portion of his statement:
“I was focused on lifetime League of Legends involvement, with our uncertain status post-2025. It was a misguided setup to emphasize why 100 Thieves fans should still be proud of our journey and remain supportive.”
Maelk, drawing on his background in European football, emphasized his loyalty to 100T, stressing he didn’t mean to undermine fan loyalty or suggest supporting competitors. However, his remarks met with criticism, with fans expressing disappointment and concern for the org’s LoL future.
Longtime fan David Szajnuk responded directly, feeling let down: “I’ve spent hours building this fandom, and this is the thanks we get?”. Though he remains supportive, he’s unhappy with the handling of the situation.
As 100 Thieves’ future in LoL remains uncertain, fans have mixed feelings, with some still holding out hope for stability post-2025.
