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OpTic Gaming Cuts Staff
In January 2023, the Frisco, Texas-based esports organization OpTic Gaming initiated a round of staff layoffs.
- Frisco, Texas-based esports organization OpTic Gaming laid off at least three employees on January 26, 2023.
- Confirmed departures include OpTic Brand Manager Lindsay Caudill and a team operations staffer, Ian Huston, along with one additional employee in a creative role.
- OpTic Gaming did not provide a comment or confirm the total number of staff affected by the layoffs.
LCS Opening Day: Sponsors and Partners 2023
The 2023 League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) season features a diverse roster of corporate partners, reflecting the continued integration of non-endemic and endemic brands within the North American esports ecosystem.
- The 2023 LCS Spring Finals are scheduled for April 8–9 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, with ticket sales commencing January 26.
- Mastercard continues as a primary partner, serving as the presenting partner for opening day, the opening ceremony, and the 'Player of the Week' sweepstakes.
- GrubHub has been named the presenting sponsor for both the LCS Spring Finals and the LCS Championship, featuring viewer-focused activations like 'Delivering the Win' promo codes and Hextech Chest giveaways.
Hackers Attempt to Extort Riot Games Following Security Breach
Riot Games experienced a significant security breach in January 2023, resulting in the exfiltration of source code for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and a legacy anticheat platform.
- Riot Games confirmed that hackers exfiltrated source code for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and a legacy anticheat platform following a social engineering attack.
- The attackers contacted Riot Games demanding a ransom payment, which the company officially refused to pay.
- Riot Games stated that no player data or personal information was compromised during the security breach.
People on the Move: Jan. 21, 2023
The industry update for January 21, 2023, serves as a comprehensive digest of executive appointments, departures, and legal developments within the global esports and gaming sectors.
- Alban Dechelotte has been appointed as the permanent CEO of G2 Esports, transitioning from his previous interim role.
- Matt O’Brien, currently the senior VP of global partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been named the new chief revenue officer of 100 Thieves.
- Former Esports Entertainment Group CEO Grant Johnson has filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking $3.1 million in damages for breach of contract.
A Fresh Round of Layoffs Hit Team Liquid
Team Liquid initiated a new round of staff reductions in January 2023, marking the second such event for the organization following a smaller round of cuts in September 2022.
- Team Liquid initiated a round of layoffs on January 20, 2023, marking the company's second reduction in force following a smaller round in September 2022.
- While the exact scale and scope of the layoffs remain undisclosed, at least three employees were confirmed to have been let go.
- The organization maintains a global headcount estimated between 51 and 100 employees and currently has 13 active job listings across Brazil, the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and Berlin.
G2 Esports Names Alban Dechelotte Permanent CEO
G2 Esports, a Berlin-based esports organization, has formalized its executive leadership team by appointing Alban Dechelotte as permanent chief executive officer.
- G2 Esports has appointed Alban Dechelotte as permanent CEO, following his tenure as interim CEO since the September 2022 resignation of founder Carlos ‘Ocelote’ Rodriguez.
- Sabrina Ratih has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of G2 Esports, joining the organization after a seven-year executive tenure at Red Bull Media House.
- Philippe Adam has been officially confirmed as the Chief Financial Officer of G2 Esports, a role he has held since joining the company in June 2022.
Nerd Street Gamers Cuts Staff by 25 Percent
Nerd Street Gamers, a Philadelphia-based esports facilities and events company, implemented a 25 percent reduction in its workforce in January 2023.
- Nerd Street Gamers laid off 25% of its workforce in January 2023.
- The company has faced recent financial challenges, including reports of difficulty paying participants for Riot Games-sanctioned Valorant competitions held in late 2022.
- CEO John Fazio stated in January 2023 that the company was working to clear a backlog of payments to staff and tournament prize winners.
Riot Confirms Layoffs, 46 Jobs Cut
Riot Games confirmed a workforce reduction in January 2023, resulting in the elimination of 46 positions.
- Riot Games confirmed the elimination of 46 positions across the company as of January 19, 2023.
- The layoffs were described by the company as a strategic shift to sharpen focus and improve content delivery.
- Riot Games characterized the job cuts as a normal course of business rather than a response to broader industry downturns.
Displate Named Official Partner of LEC
Displate has entered into an official partnership with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) for the 2023 season.
- Displate has entered into a partnership with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) for the 2023 season.
- The deal, facilitated by SPORTFIVE, involves the creation and public sale of metal posters featuring LEC teams and players.
- Displate will receive brand integration across the LEC global broadcast feed as well as regional broadcasts in France, Germany, and Spain.
Riot Bullish on Valorant, Esports in India
Riot Games maintains a strong commitment to the Indian esports market, viewing the region as a critical component of its long-term expansion strategy.
- Riot Games is prioritizing the Indian market as a key region for future expansion, with plans to establish local offices to support the growing fan base and comply with proposed national online gaming regulations.
- Valorant viewership for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) grew significantly, reaching over 60 million total hours watched in 2022, up from 46 million the previous year.
- Riot Games selected Global Esports as a partnered team for the 2023 season, providing the organization with a six-figure stipend and non-relegation status to support local talent.
eUnited Closes, More Layoffs at 100 Thieves
The esports industry experienced significant instability in mid-January 2023, characterized by organizational closures and workforce reductions.
- Los Angeles-based esports organization eUnited has officially ceased operations.
- 100 Thieves conducted a round of layoffs affecting approximately 30 employees.
- eStar Gaming and Victory Five have finalized their merger with the Ninjas in Pyjamas group.
Valorant Pros Claim Nerd Street Owes Them Prize Money and Expenses
Philadelphia-based tournament organizer Nerd Street faced significant scrutiny in early 2023 regarding outstanding financial obligations to professional Valorant players, broadcast talent, and production staff.
- Tournament organizer Nerd Street is facing public allegations from professional Valorant players and production staff regarding significant delays in the payment of prize money and compensation for events held in the second half of 2022.
- Nerd Street CEO John Fazio attributed the payment backlog to issues with third-party partners and the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which had a sponsorship deal with the company.
- To mitigate future financial instability, Nerd Street has shifted its business model to exclusively self-fund events with smaller budgets rather than relying on external partners.
