Why isn’t Sjokz hosting the LEC in week 3?

Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere has announced that she won’t be hosting the LEC in week 3 of the spring split.

Sjokz is likely the single most recognizable and well-known host in English-speaking League of Legends, having made her name as a top-tier host over the years. She announced on Twitter that she would not be hosting the LEC in the third week of play.

Why isn’t Sjokz hosting LEC?

Sjokz’s absence from the desk next week is a result of continuing contract negotiations with Riot Games. Sjokz isn’t a Riot employee and instead negotiates a contract with the developer for her appearance as a part of the broadcast. Sjokz said on Twitter that her management team had been unable to secure an agreeable contract with Riot ahead of the third week of LEC play.

I will not be hosting the LEC this week. My team and I have not yet found a mutually acceptable agreement with Riot. We are hopeful we can find common ground soon so I can appear back on the show.

— Eefje Depoortere (@sjokz) January 27, 2022

This isn’t the first time that contract negotiations in the LEC have become an issue for broadcast talent. Late last year Marc “Caedrel” Lamont seemed to have worries about returning to the LEC broadcast, though this may have been part of a coaching offer from Vitality, with such rumors remaining unconfirmed. Sjokz’s absence from the LEC deprives it of one of its most iconic talents, and LoL community members seem to be in support of her getting a good deal from Riot.

It’s not uncommon for successful casting and hosting talent to go onto a contract basis with the League of Legends broadcast. Recently Isaac “Azael” Cummings-Bentley went onto a contract basis as an analyst with the LCS broadcast. These sorts of moves allow the talent to work with other games without the restrictions of full-time employment by Riot Games and the resulting exclusivity.

In all likelihood, Sjokz will return to the LEC in the near future. The broadcast going more than a month without Sjokz would be a shock to most LEC fans given her consistent presence over the years.