Look Sports Media – After a storied 15-year tenure in the competitive League of Legends circuit, Chinese esports powerhouse Royal Never Give Up (RNG) has officially announced its departure. The organization, once known as Royal Club and revered as one of LoL esports’ most iconic and decorated teams, ceases operations amidst a complex web of escalating financial woes and ongoing legal disputes.
RNG’s legacy is etched deeply into the annals of League of Legends history, particularly within the fervent Chinese fanbase. The organization amassed an impressive five LPL titles, solidifying its domestic dominance for years. On the international stage, RNG once stood as China’s premier representative, famously securing a record-breaking three Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) championships – a feat unmatched by any other team. Their roster was a crucible for talent, nurturing legends like the unparalleled ADC Jian "Uzi" Zihao, whose induction into LoL’s "Hall of Legends" and subsequent personalized skin line cemented his status alongside titans like Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeuk.
Beyond Uzi, the organization cultivated an array of iconic figures, including mid-laner Li "Xiaohu" Yuan-Hao, jungler Liu "Mlxg" Shi-Yu, and Korean imports Cho "Mata" Se-hyeong and Choi "inSec" In. Yet, for all their triumphs, a persistent narrative of "what if" shadowed RNG’s competitive journey. Twice, as Royal Club, they stood on the precipice of a World Championship title, only to be denied – first by SKT T1 and Faker in 2013, then by Samsung White in 2014. Despite consistent contention, a return to the Worlds final proved elusive, with a semi-final berth in 2017 marking their closest subsequent attempt. The coveted Summoner’s Cup, which many anticipated RNG would bring to China first, ultimately went to Invictus Gaming in 2018, followed by FunPlus Phoenix and Edward Gaming. This elusive ultimate victory, coupled with their absence from all major tournaments since 2023 (following their MSI 2022 win and Worlds 2022 appearance), painted a stark picture of their declining competitive fortunes.
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The organization’s competitive decline was compounded by a deepening quagmire of legal and financial entanglements. Public records from June 23, 2025, revealed a Shanghai court order mandating RNG’s operating company to pay approximately $22.5 million in damages, potentially signaling the onset of a wider legal crisis involving over $140 million in claims. This intricate web of disputes traces back to 2019, when RNG allegedly breached contractual obligations with major Chinese streaming platform Douyu. By 2020, the Wuhan Intermediate People’s Court ordered RNG’s parent company, LeYou Company, to compensate Douyu with 30 million yuan (approximately £3.2 million) plus legal costs.
The internal turmoil didn’t stop there. RNG found itself embroiled in high-profile legal clashes with two of its most celebrated former players. Legendary jungler Mlxg, who transitioned to a streaming contract with Huya after retiring from pro play in July 2019, faced allegations of neglecting his streaming commitments in favor of stock market activities. Reports from Chinese forums even cited Mlxg’s on-stream boast: "I made in a single day what I’d earn in a month from streaming." This alleged breach led Huya to withhold payments from RNG, prompting Mlxg to sue the organization. However, in 2025, the court sided with RNG, ordering Mlxg to repay 25 million yuan (around £2.6 million). Compounding these issues, Jian "Uzi" Zihao, another cornerstone of RNG’s legacy, is reportedly engaged in an ongoing legal battle, publicly alleging that the organization owes him a seven-figure sum in unpaid wages, even staging protests outside their offices.
The departure of Royal Never Give Up marks a somber moment for League of Legends esports, as one of its most fabled names succumbs to the weight of its internal struggles, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled domestic success, international glory, and the bittersweet taste of a World Championship that always remained just out of reach.
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