MSG-owned Counter Logic Gaming is selling its League of Legends Championship Series team to L.A.-based NRG Esports, SBJ has confirmed. NRG is helmed by former NBA Kings co-owner Andy Miller. CLG, which MSG acquired in 2017, will be shuttering its brand. MSG itself still intends to run and operate Knicks Gaming, which competes in the NBA 2K League. CLG also fields esports teams in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Apex Legends and Fortnite.
MSG’s move is the latest franchise news involving the North American League of Legends circuit. Last week, sources told SBJ that L.A.-based TSM also was looking to unload its LCS slot. But the LCS is not alone in seeing a major stick-and-ball organization like MSG look for the exit from an esports circuit. Earlier this year, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, with squads in Overwatch League and Call of Duty League, signaled an upcoming exit from those Activision Blizzard leagues -- as well as esports overall.
