You may just be catching up, but now the LEC NEOM partnership ends following the announcement yesterday to a wide backlash. A statement has been released…
Well, this is a little bit massive. Alberto Guerrero, Director of Esports at Riot Games, has released a statement on the announcement. You can read it below.
The announcement faced an unprecedented backlash from fans, LoL Casters and professionals, and Riot employees. This is mainly down to Riot Games’ indirect support of the Saudi Arabian regime and NEOM through the partnership. The regime does not greatly support LGBTQ+ Rights, for one. The announcement was made from the LEC Twitter account, sporting a Pride Logo at the time. There is also controversy surrounding the actual construction of NEOM due to its displacement of tribal societies.
LEC NEOM Partnership Ends – Full Statement
“ As a company and as a league, we know that it’s important to recognize when we make mistakes and quickly work to correct them. 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, effective immediately.”
“ In an effort to expand our esports ecosystem… we moved too quickly to cement this partnership and caused rifts in the very community we seek to grow. While we missed our own expectations in this instance, we’re committed to reexamining our internal structures to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
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