en
Dplus KIA to be Sold Amid Financial Turbulence
Dplus KIA have announced the League of Legends organization is in the middle of a sale process as the club has "reached a point where it needs even greater capability and support to grow to the next level."
Growing operational costs in esports and recent reports surfacing of unpaid wages at Dplus all seem to indicate that the move will be in the best interest of everyone involved, including players and fans of the organization.
Dplus Announce a Sale
Dplus KIA first burst on the scene back in 2019, when their League of Legends team (then under the name of DAMWON GAMING) broke into the LCK and looked immediately capable of going toe-to-toe against the league's best squads.
Just a year later, the team rose to the top of the esports scene by winning Worlds 2020. Damwon were able to look like one of the best teams in the world for a while, but they never managed to match their peak again. In fact, in recent years, it's been nothing but sorrows for Dplus fans everywhere. Now, it seems something had to give.
According to the organization's announcement, Dplus management deemed that a sale was imperative in order to "ensure the club's and players' continued growth and sustainable future."
"A sale process is currently underway. This is being pursued for the club's more stable, long-term development, and to strengthen the roster's global competitiveness."
For the time being, it's still unclear just how much of the Dplus identity the club will retain after the sale is officially completed. For long-standing fans of the organization, this is a spell that casts both uncertain and hopeful clouds over the horizon.
Unpaid Wages and Dplus' Statement
Before Dplus' announcement of the sale, a report by Daily Esports disclosed that Dplus KIA players had not received a month's wages. This was true not just for their League of Legends team, but for players in all Dplus disciplines (including VALORANT and Rainbox Six Siege).
However, in the official announcement of their sale, the club was quick to explain there was no malpractice in the delayed payments at all. The entire sale process, management explains, has taken longer than expected, causing a "temporary disruption of the team's funding plans."
In fact, all Dplus players and coaching staff were made aware of any issues before they took place, and were asked for their understanding. That said, the club made it clear they are looking to "complete the overdue salary payments as soon as possible" as they aim to bring all operations back to normal once more.
"To the fans and partners who have walked this journey with Dplus KIA, we sincerely apologize once again for causing you deep hurt and disappointment. We will do everything we can to resolve this entire situation swiftly, so that we may emerge as a stronger, more systematic club and repay the love of our fans."
Follow Strafe Esports for the latest League of Legends news, and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe's YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.
Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
Read more:
Mages in the Bot Lane at MSI 2026: Threat or Hype?
MSI 2026 Team of the Tournament: The Best Player in Every Role
