Following their elimination at Worlds 2023, Spanish organization MAD Lions allowed its players to explore options for the upcoming 2024 season.

Image Credits: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

MAD Lions might go through restructuring in 2024

According to a report by Sheep Esports, MAD Lions have told some of its staff members and players that they would be allowed to explore options for 2024, meaning that they could probably no longer stay with the team in the upcoming season.

While being able to explore options isn’t that big of a deal itself, this comes shortly after MAD’s elimination at Worlds 2024. According to the report, the three players affected are mid laner Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer, AD Carry Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság, and Support Zdravets “Hylissang” Iliev Galabov, as well as most of the coaching staff.

Jungle player Javier “Elyoya” Prades Batalla doesn’t seem to be affected, even though his contract is expiring next month (November 2023). During the 2022 offseason, Elyoya was reportedly in negotiations with G2 and FNC, but those eventually fell through following the high buyout price.

As for the rest of the roster, all players are still under contract until at least next year. Nisqy and Hylissang’s contracts will expire at the end of 2024, while Chasy and Carzzy should theoretically run until 2025.

MAD Lions might be considering a partnership with Movistar Riders

On top of this news, Sheep Esports have also revealed a potential partnership between MAD and Movistar Riders, with the goal of opening up to the growing Spanish market. While a deal hasn’t been reached yet, Movistar Riders already showed previous interest in joining the LEC back in 2018 when it was first formed.

In case of a deal between the two organizations, Elyoya’s re-signing would become a priority and consequently affect roster decisions. The Spanish superstar has previously expressed wanting to play with AD Carry David “Supa” Martínez García and Support Álvaro “Alvaro” Fernández del Amo, the two bot lane players from Movistar Riders. If he were to stay and Movistar Riders join hands with MAD, it would mark the return to an organization he worked previously back in 2020 and that launched him into the premiere European League of Legends competition.

On October 27, MAD Lions Director of Team Operations, Till Werdermann, commented on the situation.

As the story unfolds, we might be witnessing yet another explosive offseason for the European region.

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