After casting numerous games in the North American LCS over almost nine years, Joshua “Jatt” Leesman is stepping back from the mic. The longtime caster and analyst is leaving the Riot Games broadcast team. Instead, he will be joining the League of Legends balance team for the foreseeable future.
Have a big announcement! I'll be joining the balance team as a Game Designer. Gonna be a big change and i'm super excited! I talk about it on #TheDiveLoL this week. https://t.co/nllPm7opeJ
— Josh Leesman (@esportsjatt) January 31, 2019
Jatt has actually been an Associate Game Analyst for Riot Games since 2011, after retiring as a professional League of Legends player. He studies League to make sure that the player experience is good for everyone, from the casual players to the professionals. He has been casting alongside James “Dash” Patterson, Sam “Kobe” Hartman-Kenzler and Rivington “Riv” Bisland III for some time now. Jatt also hosts a podcast called “The Dive” with Kobe and Isaac “Azael” Cummings Bentley.
Good Luck Jatt!
Jatt has been working alongside the LCS ever since it came to fruition in season one. However, before the popular host started working for Riot Games, he was actually a professional League of Legends player who was a jungle main. He would play for Team Rock Solid in 2011, which would end up becoming the roster for Team Dignitas. His teammates would also become some of the most popular League personalities around the world.
Thank you @RiotJatt for your immeasurable contributions to @lolesports over the years. We will miss you and wish you the best of luck as you join the @LeagueofLegends balance team! GG WP & GL HF! 👊 pic.twitter.com/UO7UomQFlZ
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) January 31, 2019
Joedat “Voyboy” Esfahani, William “scarra” Li and Michael “Imaqtpie” Santana and Jatt would all transfer over to Team Dignitas. After a quarterfinal finish at the 2011 World Cyber Games, Jatt would move on to work with Riot Games. Meanwhile, Team Dignitas would pick up Christian “IWDominate” Rivera as his replacement. Unfortunately, Dignitas did not make it through franchising and left the LCS in 2018.
More Departures
Over in the LEC, the league had to say goodbye to Martin “Deficio” Lynge as a shoutcaster and analyst. Deficio had been apart of the European on-air team from January 2014 to November 2018, marking a four-year career with Riot Games. However, he would move on towards greener pastures to join Origen as their general manager. Origen had just qualified for franchising and were looking for a new beginning in the League of Legends scene in Europe. Deficio was previously a manager over with Ninjas in Pyjamas back when they were apart of the EU LCS.
The departures of Deficio and now Jatt has left a significant absence on two of the biggest esports broadcasts in the world. They are both some of the most recognizable faces on their respective on-air teams, and they will be certainly missed. Even Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, one of the main desk hosts for the LEC, has moved to a freelance position with Riot Games. She has been hosting other big events alongside the LEC, like CS:GO tournaments for ESL in Germany.
Final Thoughts
It is sad to see Jatt leave the on-air crew for the LCS. However, he has left us with so many memories that we can look back on fondly. Now, we must think of how Riot Games plans to move forward in his absence. Will, they simply let the season go on, or will they hire new, fresh talent and give them a shot at shotcalling the LCS? Whatever happens, we wish Jatt the best of luck moving forward in his career!
What are your thoughts on Jatt leaving the LCS on-air team? Let us know what you think in the comments below! If you want more LCS coverage, check us out here!
