Interview with CEO of LMQ and Royal: “I would like to bring two more Chinese pros to LMQ”
Interview conducted, written, and translated by Ryan Luwei.
Royal Club officially announced that Li "eNO" Yande, CEO of LMQ, would join Royal Club as CEO. He would be in charge of LMQ and Royal Club at the same time. In addition, he becomes the first one to run two different teams in different regions throughout League of Legends eSports history. This interview will reveal what he can bring to both teams.
Before the interview, I would like to go more in-depth about the relationship between LMQ and Royal Club.
LMQ and Royal Club used to be owned by Tianci at the same time in 2013 during the LPL period. Once LMQ decided to move to NA, it had a new investor. At the very beginning of moving to NA, Royal invested money into LMQ to help them to start things up in NA, but ultimately severed all management ties.The management between LMQ and Royal club had different opinions on development so they split. LMQ cleaned their balance sheet of Royal Club's investments and never accepted any money from Royal Club after the split. From then on, LMQ became an independent eSports Club.
Royal Club was then sold by Tianci during the LPL 2014 Spring Split. Now they have a new owner and are being run constructively.
Does being the CEO of LMQ and Royal Club at the same time break Riot's LCS rule?
I don't think so. I just manage these two teams. I don't own them. That is not against the rule of owning two teams in different regions. I don't think there is any problem that a professional manager runs two teams at the same time.
How will you balance the time spent between LMQ and Royal Club to make sure both of them are being managed well?
Well, it is really challenging for me to run two teams in different regions. I don't have an example that I can follow. But I have something in mind that can bring more possibilities to both squads. But all the ideas I came up with are just in their preliminary stages. In addition, I will fly between China and USA to set things up during the Summer Split.
Are there any upcoming rosters changes between LMQ and Royal Club?
Well I think that we have a chance to adjust the rosters internally between LMQ and Royal Club. But the rosters will not change that much.
Is there any chance for UZI to join LMQ?
Actually me and UZI had a conversation about this. First of all, he thinks it is not good timing-wise for him to join LMQ now. He is really looking forward to the new lineup of Royal Club. He hopes Royal Club can do a good job in the LPL Summer Split, so he will show up in the LPL this summer for sure.
The summer split of LPL and LCS will start soon. What will you do to update the rosters for LMQ and Royal Club?
I will find some potential Solo queue players for them. I have already found some targets but I have just tried to establish contact with them for now. However, we want LMQ to remain a Chinese-based team. So I would like to bring two more Chinese pros to LMQ since there must be seven members in a LCS team.
OMG.Gogoing once said that LMQ was the most competitive team in LCS now. What is your personal opinion on that?
I think for now we just can make some plays in LCS. LMQ is not the most competitive team in LCS yet. The league is very intense, especially considering the first three spots. North America is not as weak as fans from around the world think it is. Teams have more strategies to choose from. Good teamwork and implementation capacity can make up for the weak laning ability. For now I think LMQ can just make it to the fourth spot in the LCS. We will see what is going on in the first week of LCS Summer Split.
World Elite just hired a Korean coach. What do you think of that? Would you consider hiring one for LMQ or Royal Club as well?
World Elite has always been the most advanced eSport club in China. Hiring a Korean coach really shows a new way to develop the team. And that should also be implemented by other clubs in China. King, the owner of World Elite, has always been my model in eSport club management. But the Korean coach's effectiveness depends on how well both parties can cooperate with each other. We don't plan on hiring a Korean coach for now. However, I would like to try in the future if I have a good candidate.
What is going on with LMQ recently?
They are busy preparing for the LCS Summer Split, which will start on May 23rd. The training plan is pretty tough and my members are working really hard. It's the first time for them to show their real power and prove themselves in the LCS.
