Riot Games announced that the Americas Ascension winners The Guard would not be participating in VCT Americas 2024 due to failing to meet the deadline for the Team Participation Agreement. 

This announcement sets a bad precedent for future investment in Ascension as organizations will be more hesitant to invest in Ascension because this shows that even though you won, it does not mean you are getting into VCT. 

 The Guard and Kroenke Sports show they are not interested in participating in VALORANT Esports even though their roster won. Still, there are other organizations who almost made it into the inaugural season and would be more than willing to sign the 5 players and staff. 

Riot Games should allow the roster to join a separate organization deemed worthy of joining the VCT Partnership Program.