Mentioned in this article
- Dignitas and Clutch Gaming have merged, marking the return of Dignitas to the League Championship Series (LCS).
- The merger is the first time an LCS franchise has been purchased by an outside organization.
- The Clutch Gaming team will continue to compete in LCS under its original name throughout the 2019 season, then rebrand as Dignitas beginning in 2020.
Philadelphia 76ers and Dignitas 
parent company Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment has announced a merger between Dignitas and Clutch Gaming . The merger is the first involving a League of Legends franchise in Riot Games’ League Championship Series (LCS) and marks the return of Dignitas, one of the founding LCS brands.
Riot Games awarded 10 LCS franchises in 2017, but Dignitas’ application was denied. Through its Clutch Gaming merger, Dignitas is now the first outside organization to acquire an LCS franchise.
Effective immediately, Clutch Gaming will be rolled into the existing portfolio of Dignitas teams that compete in Rocket League , Counter-Strike: Global Offensive , Super Smash Bros. Melee , SMITE, Apex Legends , and Clash Royale .
Clutch Gaming will retain its brand name as it competes in the 2019 LCS season, then rebrand to Dignitas beginning in 2020.
Related Article: Houston Rockets Will Reportedly Sell Majority Stake in Clutch Gaming
“Dignitas was one of the eight original teams in the NA LCS and we’re excited to welcome them back to the LCS. We have been impressed with the strides they have taken over the past two years,” said Chris Greeley, LCS commissioner. “This combination with the Clutch Gaming ownership group will elevate an already world-class organization and we look forward to seeing great things from them going forward.”
The announcement confirms in part a report in April that Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment agreed to purchase a majority stake in Clutch Gaming for $20M USD. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
