The LEC broadcast has seen a dramatic change over the years. Once in the shadow of their North American counterparts, they’re now seen as the best English-speaking broadcast. Their ‘business casual’ approach to the broadcast brought together the traditional sports world with the modern flair that comes from esports.
It has also brought out some great outfits but that’s a different story for a different day.
While previously leaning into different creative ideas in the past, the latest flavor they’ve produced has felt just right – a great balance between allowing personalities to shine while focusing on the game. At times, this can be seen as on-air talent focusing on their individual branding but for the most part, it has been in good taste.
Whether it has been through their interviews, video packages or the exceptional Post Game Lobby, a lot has been done to build a connection to their fans and their business. The same thing could be said with their approach to new talent.
For 2021, the broadcast announced that they were looking to bring in faces from the regional leagues – specifically talent that has appeared during the European Masters broadcast. Given the ever-changing state of esports casting, new casters would be brought in to show their stuff. Names like Jake “Hiprain” Matthews], Georgia “Troubleinc” Paras and Adrian “Jamada” Wharlton-Thorne have all been able to introduce themselves and connect with the LEC world. And others can finally see a pathway to their dream of being in the LEC as on-air talent.
This is why It feels important to talk about the matter regarding the LEC and Simon “Thebausffs” Hofverberg.
The story itself is relatively simple – the broadcast is bringing in the streaming personality and excellent solo queue player onto the broadcast to provide a different approach to the cast. His phrases, his overall goofiness have made him one of the most popular streamers in the League of Legends space.
Yet there is controversy.
There’s the issue between him and other high elo solo queue players – some of which are competitors in the LEC. Thebaus became famous for his ‘inting Sion’ – capitalizing on Sion’s passive and its ability to frustrate his opponent. It can also frustrate his teammates – who more than likely will have to attempt to handle Thebaus’s fed laner towards the mid-to-late game.
But then there is the issue about having a streaming personality on a broadcast. There are two perspectives on the matter: (1) It doesn’t matter given how it will only be two games of him casting or (2) It should matter to people in the industry.
LCS color commentator Isaac “Azael” Cummings Bentley released his thoughts on the matter on Twitter:
“I do think it’s disrespectful to people whose career is casting to just slap a streamer up to cast. It’s becoming a trend with other games so I’d hate to see it happen in League too. Companies just hire a popular streamer to cast their event who isn’t even interested or knowledgeable in hopes it’ll spike their viewership. Nothing against [Thebaus], but don’t like the practice.”
The community has presented several counters.
Andy “Vedius” Day responded to Azael:
“We’ve had pros join casters for single games for draft and games who don’t have any prior casting experience. Caedral and Bwipo are both examples of this. It’s the same principle but with different purpose. I don’t see it as disrespectful when the majority of the draft is [Daniel Drakos] and [Caedrel].
Veteran esports host Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere provided her thoughts on the issue:
“The LEC crew has been exceptional from casters to production in actively working throughout the week and the broadcasters with any guest, that’s [in my opinion] why so many appearances have been successful. And some may not be, but I don’t think we should never try. Thebausffs was super professional and motivated in our AD prep meetings and the option to cast with super experienced Daniel Drakos and analyst [Caedrel] was offered for two games. I believe he will smash it and they are the perfect pair to make it a success.”
“I really [kind of] feel like we’re making drama out of nothing before Thebausffs hasn’t even said a word on air. He has been nothing but motivated and professional and LEC has a great track record of incorporating new people and different styles.”
It has been an intriguing conversation. For the most part, both parties have legitimate claims.
The LEC Perspective
The LEC has been progressive when it comes to their vision of a professional League of Legends broadcast. They’ve been progressive with their skits and the content in-between matches. They also haven’t been afraid to test and experiment — which at times works, and other times, it doesn’t.
They’re unapologetic about it and it is admirable to see. While certain content has flopped, fans are forgetful of said failures. Instead, they focus on what has been the key success points and that has been their calling of the games and their ability to navigate through the post-match downtime.
To see them take a risk on Thebausffs was out of left field but not something out of the realm of possibility for the LEC crew. Pulling this off during the middle of the summer split allows for them to test the waters for the future. Especially with the departure of Christy “Ender” Fiererson — who has made analyst desk appearances while the LEC searches for a replacement — they’re looking for that extra bit of charisma and personality.
Bringing in a streaming personality does that.
The Other Perspective
Sometimes, there is a need to protect the integrity of the broadcast. It isn’t just having the best people in the studio, it is keeping out people that may not be suited for the program.
The LEC has argued that it gives a lot of opportunities to their players to market themselves on the broadcast. Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau and Marc “Caedrel” Lamont would both regularly appear in desk segments — with Caedrel moving into an on-air role in 2021. It isn’t a bad thing but it followed a great sense of progression. They have analyst desk appearances, get their reps in and then potentially move to a permanent on-air role. If you aren’t a LEC player, you follow the path of working through the regional leagues and getting your reps there. With the LEC giving an opportunity to a streamer to cast, it understandably ruffles the feathers of the people looking to move ahead in line or the fans searching for said members.
Protecting Thebausffs with a duo that can carry the broadcast was a smart approach but it devalues the addition of a new caster. Bringing in a third member for comedic relief is a questionable decision that should be recognized as such. Devaluing this argument doesn’t make a lot of sense and instead comes off as stubbornness.
You should have experienced people call your games — it’s valid criticism.
A Good Time But Probably Not Calling In the Morning
The LEC week is over and production more than likely learned a lot from the experience. It should have defined the limits of what they are capable of and what should be done with talent. Calling a game is a different beast and while Thebausffs didn’t flounder, he didn’t contribute as much to the call outside of a few one-liners.
It feels like the LEC is searching for something new and to their credit, they’re taking chances to find that fit. However, they have to be careful.
A criticism that has plagued other esports productions in the past has been getting too casual or too rigid. There needs to be the right balance of banter and banging commentary. This week, it felt like a step too far in the direction of being casual when Thebausffs was involved.
It isn’t a criticism of the individual himself — as this is why he was brought in. A lot of the criticism has been directed at the LEC for putting him in this type of situation and that should remain the focus.
It’s not you, it’s me.
It was some harm, some foul situation. The LEC broadcast made a questionable decision, took some heat for it but now have the ability to move on.
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