G2 Esports Loses Opportunity in Riot Games’ VALORANT League Due to CEO’s Controversial Actions
G2 Esports, a renowned esports organization, had hoped to secure a partner spot in Riot Games’ 2023 VALORANT Americas league. However, Riot reportedly chose a different path after a recent controversy involving G2’s CEO Carlos Rodriguez.
Rodriguez faced backlash when he posted a video on social media showing him partying with Andrew Tate, a figure with a history of misogynistic opinions and alleged involvement in human trafficking. Initially, Rodriguez defended his actions, but he later apologized and agreed to step away from G2 without salary for a two-month period. However, the damage was already done.
The First Act: G2’s CEO Socializes with Controversial Figure Andrew Tate
In a video tweeted by Rodriguez on September 17, fans noticed Andrew Tate and his brother celebrating with the G2 CEO at an esports event. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and reality TV star, has been banned from major social media platforms due to his misogynistic views and attempts to evade those bans. He is also under investigation for human trafficking.
Rodriguez’s video received negative reactions, including disappointment from members of G2 who criticized his actions.
The Double Down: G2’s CEO Defends His Actions
Instead of taking down the video and apologizing, Rodriguez responded to critics by asserting that he can socialize with whomever he wants. This response sparked further backlash, particularly within the League of Legends community where G2 holds a spot in the LEC. Whether intentionally seeking engagement or not, Rodriguez’s actions had consequences.
The ‘Apology’: G2’s CEO Attempts to Make Amends
On September 18, Rodriguez issued an apology on Twitter, acknowledging that G2 fans were let down and expressing regret for the discussions his actions had generated. However, the apology did little to improve his image. Esports personalities suspected that G2’s PR team had taken control of the situation to mitigate further damage. This suspicion was fueled by Rodriguez liking tweets that contradicted his apology.
The Leave of Absence: G2’s CEO Temporarily Steps Down
Following his poorly-received apology, G2 released an official statement on Twitter. The statement acknowledged that Rodriguez’s actions conflicted with the organization’s values and culture, leading to a mutual agreement for him to take an eight-week leave as CEO without pay. Rodriguez stated that G2 is above him and he will do everything to protect the organization. He subsequently removed any G2 references from his Twitter bio, only liking a tweet defending him.
The Consequence: G2’s Hopes in VALORANT’s Partner League Shattered
According to reports, the controversy surrounding Rodriguez and Andrew Tate resulted in Riot denying G2 a spot in the VALORANT Americas league. G2 had been considered a top contender for a franchise slot, but after the video surfaced, the league deemed it inappropriate to invite the team to compete. This news was confirmed by multiple sources.
Despite their prior standing, G2’s chances of acquiring a spot in VALORANT’s partner league were significantly tarnished by these recent actions.
G2 Esports, VALORANT, Riot Games, esports, controversy, Carlos Rodriguez, Andrew Tate, CEO, partner league