Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

German soccer club FC Schalke confirms it’s bought a League of Legends of team

FC Schalke 04 has become the first traditional sports franchise to take up a spot in esports' biggest league, the LCS
This article is over 8 years old and may contain outdated information

FC Schalke 04 has become the first traditional sports franchise to take up a spot in esports’ biggest league, the LCS.

Recommended Videos

The move was confirmed by the club yesterday, after reports of the move emerged from Esports Observer just over a week ago. The German football club purchased the spot from perennial also-rans Elements.

With little time to assemble a squad before the Summer Split gets underway in just over two weeks, Schalke has retained four players from the Elements lineup: Etienne “Steve” Michels, Berk “Gilius” Demir, Rasmus “MrRalleZ” Skinneholm, and Hampus “sprattel” Abrahamsson. The side will also continue to be coached by Patrick “Nyph” Funke.

Rounding out the lineup will be former Unicorns of Love midlaner Hampus “Fox” Myhre, who had been looking to move on from his previous club.

The Schalke esports division will be headed up by Tim Reichert, a former professional soccer player who co-founded SK Gaming in 1997 alongside brothers Ralf and Benjamin, among others. Ralf Reichert is now CEO of esports events powerhouse ESL, and on the board of the controversial new organization WESA.

Elements had been aiming to sell their spot since well before the 2016 Spring Split, but missed the deadline to do so. After throwing together a roster at the last minute, they narrowly held on to their place in the LCS by finishing in seventh place—the same position the team has finished every Split since rebranding from Alliance in early 2015. 


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Callum Leslie
Callum Leslie
Weekend Editor, Dot Esports.