Riot Games was dragged on social media after announcing that the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), one of the most popular esports leagues in the world, would be sponsored by the planned Saudi Arabian megacity of Neom.
The announcement ignited a firestorm on Twitter where fans pointed out that Saudi Arabia has a horrific track record when it comes to human rights. Soon after Riot stated the partnership, the company backtracked in a statement made by Alberto Guerrero, director of esports in the European, Middle East, and African regions.
“After further reflection, while we remain steadfastly committed to all of our players and fans worldwide including those living in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, the LEC has ended its partnership with NEOM,” Guerrero said.
Neom, which has been projected as a cross-border city in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia, will feature smart city technologies and serve as a tourist destination. The new city had already been met with criticism after local Howietat tribespeople claimed that Saudi security forces were trying to evict them from their homeland in order to build the proposed town.
Fans on Twitter pointed out the hypocrisy of Riot’s partnership with Saudi Arabia, considering the LEC’s Twitter avatar currently features a pride flag, while homosexuality is considered illegal in the Middle Eastern monarchy.
Several LEC broadcasters tweeted their opposition to the sponsorship. “The league I cover is now promoting a country that would kill me just for existing. Feels great,” said esports commentator James “Stress” O’Leary, while color commentator Indiana “Froskurinn” Black, who is trans, wrote, “This is disappointing because this is the LEC. This is devastating because I know who made these choices and I feel silenced.”
On Tuesday, numerous Riot Games employees openly expressed their disagreement with the company’s decision, noting that Neom is backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused of ordering the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
League of Legends lead gameplay designer Mark Yetter tweeted on Wednesday, “I can’t and do not personally support this partnership. Sponsors are essential for the esport to thrive, but not at the cost of human life and freedoms.”
Riot is not the only group that has been blasted for their decision to partner with Saudi Arabia. Blast Premier, a Danish esports tournament organizer, also announced its collaboration with the kingdom on Tuesday. In a press release, the company said Neom was committed to “building a major esports ecosystem in the heart of what will be the new future of living.”
Source: Polygon
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