The Esports Advocate

A post surgery update from the boss:

Gold Deficit: NLC organizer League ApS is “no longer in a position to operate the league.” Riot and individual stakeholders are now exploring next steps for the Northern League of Legends Championship. ✍️ @Dom_Sacco 🔗 esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/nlc-or…

My laryngectomy has been pushed to next week because at the eleventh hour the anesthesiologist decided, "Oh, we need a stress test before we can do the operation." Kind of sucks, and I had to check into the hospital overnight anyways, so I am stuck in Boston until tomorrow afternoon. It's 70 degrees out today here but I missed it because I'm half naked in a hospital gown on the 11th floor. BTW the staff at Mass General are amazing. I'm glad I am here; it is the best possible care I can get in New England.

Creator Power: Los Ratones may be gone, but the story isn’t over. Much of the roster has returned as Witchcraft, taking an EMEA Masters slot Bulldog Esports expected. @Dom_Sacco discusses how creator-led teams are reshaping Tier-2 League of Legends. 🔗 esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/los-ra…

Is esports actually a sport? @TheUrbanShep argues the question is more complicated than it seems, examining how national sports laws, publisher control, and intellectual property create unique legal and governance challenges for esports. 🔗Full analysis: esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/why-es…

Bigger Arena, Smaller Footprint: IEM’s move from Katowice to Kraków reshapes the event’s footprint. Guest contributor Yushi Wang, who attended both events, examines the structural changes and industry implications. 🔗Full story: esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/iems-s…

Virtual Kickoff: Major League Soccer has selected ESL FACEIT Group to operate the 2026 eMLS Cup, culminating in a Columbus studio final where the top EA SPORTS FC players will compete for EA FC World Championship qualification. esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/mls-ta…

@stayfreshshoe @jon_winkle @RuddyCorp There's some more in this article I wrote for The Esports Advocate here x.com/TEAdvocated/st…

Comeback Cancelled: Insomnia Gaming Festival 74 will no longer take place, as organizers say reduced sponsorship and rising production costs made delivering the event at the expected standard impossible. ✍️ @Dom_Sacco 🔗 Full story: esportsadvocate.net/2026/03/insomn…

Well, it's time to pause and get ready for my laryngectomy next week. I'll be taking a break from @TEAdvocated starting March 1. See you on the other side of this thing, friends. jamesfudge.substack.com/p/see-you-on-t…

Power Play: @WolvesEsports teams up with @LUNAesports_gg for the ePremier League EA Sports FC competition this weekend in the UK. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/wolves…

Spending Spree: @GSQHoldings repurchases nearly $500,000 USD in common stock, plans to aggressively repurchase more going forward. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/gamesq…

School Rivalry: @Alienware Collegiate Clash returns in 2026, brings @MarvelRivals to the big stage. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/alienw…

Score: @TeamLiquid teams up with @SunderlandAFC to compete in ePremier League. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/team-l…

All In: Black Molly Entertainment (@bmeproduction) taps @ASUS_ROG for its various esports and gaming events in Sweden. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/black-…

The Road to Riyadh: @riotgames fully embraces the @EWC_EN, offers ERLs a chance at EMEA Masters Winter to to earn a spot in the Esports World Cup Qualifiers. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/lec-em…

Bigger Tent: @playvs partners with Urban One (@RadioOne_inc) to create a new collegiate league dedicated to HBCUs in North America. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/playvs…

Into the Future: @ZOWIEbyBenQ will serve as the official monitor partner of IEM and @ESL Pro League events in 2026 and 2027. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/esl-fa…

For the Children: @GenG teams with @ArizonaState's GAME School to create a summer program for college and high school students that provides a "direct talent pipeline” to creative technology jobs in Los Angeles. esportsadvocate.net/2026/02/gen-g-…