Esports in gaming is on fire. The “Esports Awards”, which have been awarded since 2015, have entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia. The face of the award, host Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez, is quitting and criticizing the award: He cannot justify collaborating with Saudi Arabia. This is now exactly the shitstorm that Blizzard was able to avoid with Overwatch in January.
Here’s Goldenboy’s announcement:
Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez is one of the most well-known casters in esports. He is especially known for Overwatch. On Twitter, he wrote on June 8:
- He will no longer host the Esports Awards and has also resigned from the panel with immediate effect.
- He is very disappointed with the leadership of the ESA – it is their decision in which direction they steer their business. But he is now making his decision as well.
- Events that are completely supported by the Saudi Arabian government do not align with his personal or professional values. For him, it is therefore right not to invest time or energy in such events.
Esports is a big topic. The German influencer HandOfBlood has succeeded in bringing his LoL team into the mainstream:
The award ceremony had 22 million viewers in 2023
What kind of award is this? The “Esports Awards” have been presented since 2015 and have gained significant importance over the last decade. According to the organizers, they reached over 22 million viewers in 2023.
They see themselves as the “de facto platform” to help esports gain recognition.
Award moves from Las Vegas to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia
What is it about? The “Esports Awards” announced on July 7 that they have entered into a three-year partnership with the “Esports World Cup.” And that the awards will be presented this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This engagement of Saudi Arabia in esports, backed by significant money, is seen as part of so-called “sportswashing.” This refers to improving a country’s image by hosting sporting events.
Saudi Arabia is considered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be a country accused of many human rights violations. Particularly the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is repeatedly cited as a reason why collaboration with Saudi Arabia is not morally justifiable.
Western companies are also criticized for advocating the freedom of the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, only to collaborate with a country where homosexuality is socially taboo and even punishable by death.
At Blizzard, the deal with Saudi Arabia went almost unnoticed
What does this have to do with Blizzard? Blizzard had shut down the Overwatch League but announced in January 2024 that they wanted to collaborate with Saudi Arabia.
Particularly pungent here: Some characters in Overwatch, including Tracer, are openly homosexual.
But Blizzard’s decision passed almost unnoticed at that time. The decision of the Esports Awards is not.
The discussion about Saudi Arabia as a sponsor in gaming has been raging for several years. But reactions change from case to case. In 2020, there was a very similar discussion surrounding League of Legends: LoL League unleashes PR nightmare, must retract everything after 14 hours
