Dignitas to return to the LCS as it merges with Clutch Gaming

Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of Dignitas has announced the merger of Clutch Gaming. The merger marks the return of Dignitas to the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) in North America.

The brand previously fielded teams in both North America and Europe and will now become the first outside organisation to acquire one of the 10 LCS franchise spots.

“The return of Dignitas to League of Legends is the best story in esports and the comeback narrative that we’re thrilled to tell in lockstep with our fans,” said, Michael Prindiville, Chief Executive Officer of Dignitas. “In addition to returning DIG to the biggest, most entertaining esports league in the world, this merger marks an important step in our trajectory as we build a global gaming-centric new media and entertainment company.”

The merger will see Clutch Gaming join the existing portfolio of Dignitas teams, which includes Rocket League, CS:GO, Super Smash Bros. Melee, SMITE, Apex Legends and Clash Royale.

“I’m incredibly excited that Clutch Gaming will join forces with Dignitas. Dignitas is a legacy brand with deep roots in the LCS, and whose ambition and forward-thinking nature make it deserving of a return to the LCS,” said, Sebastian Park, VP of Esports, Clutch Gaming. “Dignitas is uniquely positioned to transcend current esports paradigms of what an organization ought to look like. The future of the LCS and esports with Dignitas in it is bright. We’ve had an amazing ride the past few years and I want to thank all our fans, staff, and players who’ve made Clutch Gaming clutch. This announcement only represents the beginning of new things to come and I hope everyone joins in our journey to what’s next.”

The Clutch Gaming team will continue to compete in LCS under the label throughout the 2019 season and then rebrand as Dignitas. The current Clutch Gaming LCS line-up includes Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon, Nam “Lira” Tae-yoo, Tanner “Damonte” Damonte, Cody Sun and Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme. After two weeks of LCS competition, the team is sitting at 2W-2L after beating both 100 Thieves and Golden Guardians this past weekend.