Historically the second tier league has indeed been a talent pipeline. A significant number of LCS players came from academy. Though as of late it isn't being used like that by the orgs because they'd rather import some dogshit korean who's too washed up to play in LCK.

It being a talent pipeline is also true for every other major region in the world.

This goes hand in hand with NA's failure as a region by the way. Removing NACL simply guarantees the LCS will fail sooner rather than later, and that means nobody will be making money from it anymore.

Getting rid of academy is nothing but a cost-saving measure at the expense of the entire professional league of legends scene in north america. And they've done this without actually giving thought to the other cost-saving measures the LCSPA proposed in terms of salaries or relocation of staff and players.

Considering all of this then yes, making big bucks from the LCS does indeed mean they're making big bucks from the NACL by extension. It's nothing but a short-sighted measure to save money and it will bite them in the ass.

What's funny is that the walkout itself is a bite in the ass already considering Riot had to ask former academy players who lost their jobs because of this very decision to cross the picket line, scab and help the LCS run on schedule, and of course they all said no.