Ninjas in Pyjamas Ends Partnership with Betway over LCS Sponsorship Rules
Swedish esports organization Ninjas in Pyjamas recently announced the termination of its partnership with bookmaker Betway. The decision came as a result of violating the LCS sponsorship rules set by Riot Games.
The partnership was established less than 11 months ago in September 2016 and was intended to last for multiple years. However, due to Riot Games’ policy that prohibits teams in the LCS from being sponsored by gambling websites, Ninjas in Pyjamas had no choice but to end the agreement.
Ninjas in Pyjamas encountered difficulties with rule 7.2.4 of the LCS rulebook, which strictly regulates the sponsors allowed to be displayed on player jerseys. This specific rule states that teams are not permitted to exhibit logos related to gambling or any enterprise, service, or product that supports gambling.
Despite Betway being the main sponsor for Ninjas in Pyjamas, the team’s League of Legends players either wore jerseys without the Betway logo or other merchandise affiliated with the organization throughout their debut LCS split.
Ninjas in Pyjamas confirmed that the sponsorship officially ended on August 13th. However, Betway will continue to directly sponsor the organization’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players.
Previously, Riot Games also compelled G2 Esports to terminate its sponsorship with reselling site Kinguin after Kinguin’s League of Legends team qualified for the EU Challenger Series. Ironically, Ninjas in Pyjamas adopted Kinguin as their sponsor once the Kinguin team was relegated from the EUCS.
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