It comes to light that Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg bribed player Erlend "Nukeduck" Våtevik Holm to join Ninjas in Pyjamas. Bjergsen will subsequently be fined $2000.
When Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg was invited to join TSM, team management, headed by Gustav "flabbert" Karto, stipulated that he would have to find a replacement mid laner. Bjergsen approached Erlend "Nukeduck" Våtevik Holm, mid laner of Lemondogs, without consulting the team's manager, Daniel "pani" Aicardi, and offered him a large sum of money to join Ninjas in Pyjamas. As a result, three members of Lemondogs joined NiP: Nukeduck, support player Alfonso "Mithy" Aguirre Rodriguez, and top laner Morton "Zorozero" Rosenquist.
According to LCS rules, giving other players incentive to breach contract and join an opposing team is strictly forbidden.
"No Team Member or Affiliate of a team may solicit, lure, or make an offer of employment to any Team Member who is signed to any LCS team, nor encourage any such Team Member to breach or otherwise terminate a contract with said LCS team."
—Section 10.2.12 of the official LCS rule set
Since Bjergsen cooperated and came forward openly about bribing Nukeduck, his punishment was lessened. He will be fined $2000 for the infraction. Many debate the harshness of the punishment. Some consider the fine too small, while others claim that it's too large in proportion to salary, considering fines in other sports like the NBA.
In the context of the money made by organizations, however, it does little to dissuade managers from breaking the rule in the future. Exact values are not known, but a spot in a single split of the LCS is worth $62,500 in player salaries alone; this figure does not include team fees, which are at least enough to compensate for investment in housing and equipment, or event prizes.
Either way, Bjergsen will continue to play for TSM in the North American LCS and Nukeduck will remain on Ninjas in Pyjamas in the European Challenger series for the rest of the Spring Split.
Sources: League of Legends forums, Reddit
