The ESL has banned the pro gamers who were financially supported by the porn site YouPorn.
A few months ago, it made headlines: Youporn is entering esports. Apparently, there were overlaps in the target audience identified. Data from competing websites support this assumption.
The PR stunt or, from another point of view, the esports engagement of the porn website has now come to an end. The ESL (Electronic Sports League) has severed all ties with the pro gamers from “Team YP.” They were active in games like Evolve, CS:GO, Starcraft II, Mortal Kombat X, and Ultra Street Fighter IV.
As a reason for the ban, the ESL stated to the US site Gamespot that many of the other partners had strict “No drugs, no alcohol, no pornography” rules. And adherence to these rules is also contractually mandated. These rules have been in the regulations for a long time. They had been in contact with Team YP’s management in recent months to find a solution.
The management of Team YP is disappointed with the decision. They find it unfair. After all, the team is modest and decent, by no means offensive and strictly separated from the sponsors. Team YP, in the management’s view, has nothing to do with porn, is a completely different brand, and is house-trained.
Through social media, they are apparently trying to establish the hashtag “#FreeTeamYP”.
The title image comes from the US website Gamespot.
