For many fans, the professional scene isn’t just about players and teams – it’s also about the people that they spend time with every week. This was obvious at the outrage and drama that came when MonteCristo left Riot on less than agreeable terms. While some casters simply move on – as Crumbzz did to the OWL – Monte left with the equivalent of flipping his previous bosses the bird.

At the time, Monte criticized Riot for what he described as less than competitive salaries for casters. He was also critical of how Riot chose to operate with both casters and analysts. Riot has always preferred to work with professionals on staff rather than freelancing as Deficio is currently doing – something Monte said negatively impacted the culture. Considering Deficio’s positivity, Riot may have learned that lesson.

Ironically, while many fear Deficio might be following in Monte’s footsteps to leave League of Legends behind for brighter pastures, he may just be following in different path set by Monte years before. As Deficio points out in his post, so long as he is actively casting the EU LCS, he will not be working with any LCS teams, but that doesn’t mean he won’t ever work with any LCS teams. Following his 2015 suspension for tampering, wherein Copenhagen Wolves were in discussions with him to join their team, he may just be taking things slow and doing them the right way. As a freelancer, he may now be free to at the very least discuss option, whereas before it would lead to a violation of terms in his contract.

None of this guarantees that Deficio is moving back into management or coaching for teams, but it would certainly make sense. He has fulfilled the role in the past, and his many years at Riot have given him a level of insight few could match. Whatever the case, we are glad he is still with us now, and we’ll be watching to see what he does next in esports.