X7 Esports’ strategic Korean imports and innovative approach to European regional League of Legends development
Strategic Roster Building: The Korean Connection
X7 CEO Josh ‘Hyrav’ Kingett provided exclusive insights to Dexerto about the organization’s groundbreaking approach to roster construction in European League of Legends regional competitions.
X7 Esports has rapidly ascended through the UK competitive League of Legends ecosystem since its establishment in December 2020. The organization progressed systematically from the UKEL to the NLC, demonstrating strategic growth through calculated acquisitions and tournament restructuring.
In 2021, X7 completed strategic acquisitions of established British organizations Bulldog and Absolved, securing their position in the newly structured NLC. This foundation set the stage for their most ambitious move yet.
The organization’s final competitive piece materialized on December 17, 2021, when X7 unveiled their 2022 competitive lineup. The announcement stunned the NLC community by featuring two high-profile Korean imports, including former Samsung Galaxy world champion jungler Kang ‘Haru’ Minseung.
We are excited to officially announce our @NLClol Division 1 roster for Spring 2022!
Main
🇩🇪 @Jaegerlol
🇰🇷 @Haru
🇰🇷 @Tempt1597
🇩🇰 @nata_lol1
🇬🇧 @Kasing
Substitutes
🇱🇻 @mag1cian2
🇸🇪 @aggestr
🇸🇪 @Twiiztlol#X7GG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2qjHCs8X0s
— Bulldog Esports (@_BulldogEsports) December 17, 2021
Haru achieved esports immortality by winning the 2017 World Championship as Samsung Galaxy’s substitute jungler. Following his championship victory, he competed across multiple LCK organizations between 2018 and 2020 before undertaking a competitive stint in the LLA with Kaos Latin Gamers during 2021.
The roster’s second Korean standout is mid laner Kang ‘Tempt’ Myunggu, a former teammate of Haru’s and an exceptionally skilled player in his own right. Complementing these international signings, X7 secured European veterans Raymond ‘kaSing’ Tsang and Lennart ‘Jaeger’ Warkus (previously known as SmittyJ) for support and top lane roles respectively.
With rookie AD Carry Nataniel ‘Nata’ Fikrisellasie Asrat completing the lineup, X7 has assembled what appears to be one of the most formidable rosters in NLC history on paper.
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The acquisition strategy behind these signings reveals X7’s innovative approach to talent development. According to CEO Hyrav, head coach Nias ‘Nias’ Vanwalleghem played a crucial role in facilitating the Korean connections through his previous experience as an assistant coach for LCK Challengers team Spear Gaming.
Coach Nias established relationships with Korean talent agencies that proved instrumental in initial negotiations between X7 and their mid-jungle duo. Numerous Korean competitors seek European opportunities as stepping stones toward ultimate LEC competition.
Btw. @X7_Esports is here!
Hello @Haru, @nias_lol and @Devilpiotr1! pic.twitter.com/7AzdoutQKa
— Kinguin Esports Performance Center Warsaw (@epcwarsaw) December 21, 2021
European Regional League teams typically lack resources for professional English language training for international players. Korean agencies address this gap by providing English instruction to prepare their competitors for global success, as demonstrated with Haru and Tempt’s preparation.
Both Korean imports possess functional English communication skills according to Hyrav, minimizing potential team coordination challenges. X7 remains committed to supporting ongoing language development throughout their competitive tenure.
Beyond Esports: X7’s Business Innovation Model
European Regional Leagues provide ideal transitional platforms for international players seeking European competitive experience. Direct LEC entry grows increasingly challenging annually as the region prioritizes developing domestic talent.
European competitive ecosystems increasingly emphasize cultivating young regional league talent over international imports. ERL participation may represent the crucial pathway for future import players seeking LEC opportunities.
This evolving landscape aligns perfectly with X7’s strategic vision. According to Hyrav, X7 aims to transcend traditional ERL team operations through innovative player development models.
“We intend to import international talent similar to Haru and Tempt, then transition them to franchise teams,” Hyrav explained. The organization positions itself as a “facilitation service” for potential LEC import resurgence, enabling the creation of European superteams that imports could help assemble.
X7’s operational model focuses on assisting players through complex administrative processes including visa acquisition, language education, and housing arrangements during their X7 tenure, preparing them for transitions to other European organizations. While ERL teams historically developed native talent for LEC promotion—as demonstrated by AGO Rogue and MAD Lions Madrid advancing entire rosters to various LEC teams—X7 pioneers this approach with international imports.
Assembling such a competitive roster requires substantial financial investment, particularly for an organization in its inaugural year. X7 announced a strategic partnership with the Isle of Man government in June 2021, supporting an undefeated UKEL championship run.
We’re incredibly excited to announce our sponsorship of the Isle of Man’s first professional esports Org, @X7 Esports! Read more: https://t.co/qViJKknClz#esports #isleofman #esportsnews pic.twitter.com/C0jZ5gbKPU
— Digital Isle of Man (@DigitalIOM) June 14, 2021
However, the current NLC roster represents significantly greater financial commitment compared to previous UKEL investments. While League of Legends funding has increased substantially, Hyrav emphasizes that government resources don’t support the NLC team operations.
“All financial support following our UKEL departure, including Bulldog and Absolved acquisitions, originates from myself and key investors,” Hyrav clarified. “I’m making substantial personal investments to develop the competitive ecosystem.”
X7 explores expansion into additional esports titles beyond League of Legends. Acknowledging that League competition “lacks profitability and will remain unprofitable long-term,” Hyrav indicated organizational interest in First-Person Shooter competitive scenes.
Regional League Challenges and Opportunities
Committing fully to an ERL team involves significant risk, particularly within the NLC ecosystem operated by Freaks 4U Gaming in 2022. Recent months witnessed numerous UK organizations departing the region, including Fnatic CEO Sam Mathews explaining their academy roster Fnatic Rising’s transition to Superliga through Team Queso partnership due to competitive attractiveness.
We feel it’s better to have more viewership/more competitive league to play in, as better players will want to play in that league. Aka better talent pool.
— Sam Mathews (@sammathews) September 3, 2021
Multiple organizations cited regional financial instability and investment deficiencies as departure motivations, making CEO Kingett’s personal financial commitment to this uncertain venture particularly notable.
“I recognize that most potential NLC participants departed for various reasons,” Hyrav acknowledged, “whether from diminished regional confidence or tournament organizer concerns.”
With the NLC entering a new operational era this year, X7 positions itself as regional “pioneers” through “considerable investment” in the updated system and confidence in Freaks4U’s ability to elevate the NLC’s historically limited popularity.
The NLC ranks among the least viewed ERLs despite featuring complete English broadcast coverage. Summer split peak viewership reached only 9,519 spectators, dramatically contrasting with LFL and Superliga peaks of 183,709 and 73,000 viewers respectively according to EsportsCharts statistics.
After some changes, the final teams for 2022 are now set! In Division 1, look forward to: @EXCEL @dustyiceland @SNG_Esports @RiddleEsports @Astralisgg @X7_Esports @VanirGG @MNMGaming @NYYRIKKIesports @Bifrost pic.twitter.com/zuaxdp4WoE
— NLC (@NLClol) December 21, 2021
Substantial transformation appears necessary for NLC popularity to approach more successful regional counterparts. Perhaps a former World champion’s arrival represents the catalytic event the region requires—or at minimum, this forms the foundation of X7’s strategic planning.
Future Outlook and Strategic Vision
X7 Esports represents a paradigm shift in how organizations approach European regional league development. Their model combines international talent acquisition with comprehensive player support systems, creating a unique value proposition in the esports ecosystem.
The organization’s success hinges on multiple factors: player performance, regional league stability, and the ability to successfully transition talent to higher-tier organizations. Each element presents both opportunity and risk in this innovative approach to esports development.
For aspiring esports organizations, X7’s strategy offers valuable lessons in calculated risk-taking and strategic positioning. Their willingness to invest significantly in a challenging regional landscape demonstrates confidence in both their operational model and the long-term potential of the NLC ecosystem.
The coming competitive season will determine whether X7’s innovative approach can transform regional league dynamics and establish new pathways for international talent in European League of Legends.
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