Sjokz to Return as LEC Host This Weekend
Eefje "Sjokz" Depoortere will make her highly-anticipated return as the desk host of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) broadcast in Week 5, the European esports league announced Thursday.
Considering the series of recent discouraging developments regarding esports leagues and their longtime on-air talent, as seen in the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League, this announcement made by the official LEC Twitter account was a sight for plenty of sore eyes within the community.
I’M BACK BABY LET’S GET IIIIIIT ❤️❤️❤️ #LEC https://t.co/XCoe0OUJJ2
— Eefje Depoortere (@sjokz) February 10, 2022
Sjokz to Return as LEC Host This Weekend
A fixture of Riot Games' League of Legends' broadcasts since 2013, back when the EU LCS moniker was still around, Sjokz has undeniably been a fan favorite of Twitch and YouTube viewers over the years.
In early January, Sjokz was initially included as part of the LEC's on-air talent lineup for Spring 2022 announcement, but went on to miss the opening weekend of the league's season because of personal reasons.
On Jan. 27, however, it appeared Sjokz's absence from the show would have to run longer than expected, as her team and Riot seemingly had yet to come to a "mutually acceptable agreement."
I will not be hosting the LEC this week. My team and I have not yet found a mutually acceptable agreement with Riot. We are hopeful we can find common ground soon so I can appear back on the show.
— Eefje Depoortere (@sjokz) January 27, 2022
The first four weeks of the 2022 LEC Spring Split had seen frequent play-by-play caster Trevor “Quickshot” Henry host the broadcast.
The LEC is scheduled to open up its Week 5 action on Friday, Feb. 11 at 12 p.m. ET with Misfits Gaming vs. Team BDS.