Dignitas offering to let Huni leave after missing LCS Spring playoffs

Olivia Richman Published 04/04/2020

Dignitas has announced that Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon is allowed to explore other opportunities ahead of the 2020 LCS Summer Split.

Earlier today, the North American League of Legends team took to Twitter to tell their followers that Huni is open to explore his options in the LCS. This news comes after Dignitas failed to make the 2020 LCS Spring Split playoffs. The team finished 7th with a 8-10 record.

“Dignitas has allowed Huni to explore other opportunities in advance of the LCS Summer Split,” the team stated.

Dignitas shocked the LCS community before the start of the LCS Spring Split by securing Huni for a reported two-year contract worth $2.3 million. Even though Huni had been a star player on Clutch Gaming during the previous season, fans were still shocked by the impressive contract. Many called it a “dumb decision” and a “waste of money.”

As the LCS Spring Split grew closer, Dignitas fans worried over how the organization had not announced a single other player on its roster. This led to speculation that the team was forced to be thrifty on the rest of its lineup after breaking the bank on Huni.

At the start of the 2020 season, WIN.gg asked Huni about the $2.3 million contract.

“I proved a lot of things last year. I did a lot. There’s a result and everyone can see it. Huni was there, smurfing just every game. My CEO loved me. That’s what happened. I just deserved it,” he said.

Dignitas have disappointing Spring Split, fans blame Huni

The team ended up with an impressive team of veterans. Even though they were underestimated at the start of the Spring Split, Huni, Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black and Henrik “Froggen” Hansen came out of the gates swinging. They started the season at the top of the standings, proving many analysts and viewers wrong.

As the LCS Spring Split continued, it became clear that Dignitas weren’t consistent week to week. Soon, they were slipping down the rankings and found themselves in the middle of the pack. Dignitas ended up with only one win throughout the second half of the split and Huni was seemingly to blame.

Huni had fewer kills and more deaths than the majority of top laners in the LCS. Even support players like Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme and Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam sported similar kill records to him.

It’s unclear what caused Huni’s decline in performance. Many players have noted a lack of motivation in the online tournament format Riot implemented in response to the coronavirus epidemic, but Huni has not specifically indicated this is the case.

Dignitas’ announcement has left many fans wondering about the legitimacy of Huni’s supposed two-year, multi-million dollar contract. Did he actually have a fixed two-year contract? If he did, is that actually to blame for Dignitas’ struggles?

Fans are also left to wonder where Huni will end up, and who Dignitas might tap to replace him for the 2020 LCS Summer Split.

“I can run it down for half that salary if you’re lookin for a top laner,” streamer Christian “IWillDominate” Rivera offered Dignitas on Twitter.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

View full profile