Promising LCS Prospect Tenacity Steps Away from Pro Play to Pursue Content Creation

Another rising talent in North America’s League of Legends scene has decided to step away from professional play.

Milan “Tenacity” Oleksij, the rookie top laner for 100 Thieves, recently announced that he will be shifting his focus towards content creation instead.

In an interview with Travis Gafford on May 13, the 20-year-old explained that he made the choice to leave 100 Thieves and retire from professional play, despite receiving offers from other teams in the LCS, NACL, and Europe. Tenacity expressed his desire to explore content creation, a passion he had been considering for some time, especially given the recent developments within the LCS.

Tenacity highlighted several reasons behind his decision, including the speculation surrounding the removal of the import rule, which would have significant implications for NA-based talent. Additionally, Riot Games recently eliminated the requirement for LCS organizations to field a Challengers League team, a change that had been rumored for about a year. These factors raised concerns about job security and the future of aspiring pro players in North America.

Considering all the information he received, Tenacity believed that pursuing content creation would provide a more stable career option compared to the uncertainties in the NA competitive scene. He noted the decreasing salaries in the LCS over the years and emphasized his passion for content creation as a motivating factor for this career shift.

Furthermore, Tenacity shared his advice to other aspiring NA pros, suggesting that they consider booking a bootcamp in Europe and aim to join one of the EMEA Regional Leagues. The pathway to the LEC in Europe is highly regarded, offering opportunities to gain exposure, experience, and recognition from top organizations. Many notable LEC stars have emerged from the ERLs, showcasing the effectiveness of this route.

It’s undoubtedly a disappointing end to Tenacity’s journey as a hopeful player in the NA scene. He received praise from fans and analysts alike for his impressive performances in the NA Academy League, generating high expectations for his LCS debut.

However, with the ongoing changes in the region, he becomes another “what if” for fans to reflect upon.