Korea Report Outlines Unpaid Wages for Dplus KIA LoL Roster; Is Dplus KIA’s Place in the LCK at Risk?

The League of Legends roster of Korean organization Dplus KIA is reportedly facing unpaid salaries, according to a report by Korean media publication Daily e-Sports.

The unresolved wage situation could ultimately result in the removal of Dplus KIA from the LCK by Riot Games if wages remain unpaid.

Report outlines unpaid wages for Dplus KIA League of Legends roster

The Daily e-Sports report shares the following information, clarifying that the team is currently owed one month’s wages, having previously been owed an additional month’s salary:

“According to industry sources on the 16th, the Dplus KIA squad has not received one month’s worth of wages. While there was a time when two months’ worth of pay was overdue, they recently received payment for one month, leaving a one-month deficit outstanding. Players across all disciplines managed by Dplus KIA are reportedly affected by these overdue payments.” (translated)

The report adds that, while DK’s roster is composed primarily of rookies built around veteran mid-laner Heo ‘ShowMaker’ Su, the roster’s wages still total in the range of 3 billion KRW per year, or approximately $2 million.

The organization is reportedly considering a sale of the roster to release them from their financial struggles in maintaining the team, with the report quoting an unnamed Dplus KIA representative.

That representative reportedly stated, “It is true. Delays in the sale of the team disrupted our financial planning. We sought the players’ understanding in advance and are currently working toward a swift resolution. We plan to release an official statement soon.”

Could Dplus KIA be removed from the LCK?

The report notes the threat that the unpaid wages pose to Dplus KIA’s place in the LCK, with an ‘industry insider’ noting, “In the LCK, a request for contract termination can be made if wages are overdue by a month.”

Riot’s ability to terminate contracts has been recently displayed in the Valorant Champions Tour, where the Ascension team ULF Esports was removed from VCT EMEA due to alleged missed payments.

The result was the almost complete transfer of the roster from ULF Esports to Eternal Fire, with four of the five players moving to the new organization, where they now compete as Eternal Fire in VCT EMEA.

At that time, Riot Games commented, “Our priority following this decision was to ensure that the players – who earned their place in VCT EMEA through Ascension – were able to continue competing in the league.”

The situation reflects the ability of Riot to control its own circuit to exact standards when it comes to player payment and wellbeing; however, it also reflects a priority to maintain competition and competitive integrity.

With the LCK Regular Season well underway and set to resume on July 29, it is unclear whether a new home org can be found for the DK players in time to retain their position in the league if Dplus KIA are removed, threatening the team’s ability to contest the Legends Group, where they will continue the LCK Regular Season in Rounds 3 and 4.

Are you concerned about Dplus KIA’s future in the LCK? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.

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