Two European esports brands have reached a huge sponsorship deal with NEOM, a futuristic city funded by the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both Counter-Strike organizer BLAST Premier and the League of Legends European Championships are part of this controversial deal that would incorporate NEOM into various aspects of the European Counter-Strike and League of Legends broadcasts.
The deal is considered controversial due to bin Salman being attached to the sponsorship. The Saudi Arabian prince has been accused of various human rights violations, including intervening in a war in Yemen, imprisoning human rights activists, and being accused of involvement in the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia is known for unfair trials regarding freedom of speech, in which many pro-LGBTQ and women's rights activists have been jailed for speaking out.
The actions taken by Saudi Arabia has caused prominent esports figures to speak out as well. Many have pointed out the irony of the League of Legends European Championships announcing the sponsorship while dawning a Pride-themed profile picture. The frustration of fans stems from the blatant ignoring of humans rights abuse in an attempt to maximize a profit by both European esports brands.
The deal has been met with disdain by prominent on-air personalities of the League of Legends European Championships. LEC color commentator "Froskurinn" expressed her thoughts about the deal on Twitter. "Froskurinn" has been extremely outspoken about LGBTQ rights and has been looked to as a role model for acceptance in esports. Although the LEC is expanding sponsorship opportunities, the new sponsorship deal has angered fans and workers.
The sponsor, NEOM is a project for a technologically advanced city in Northwest Saudi Arabia. More controversy surrounds the actual city due to the attempted eviction of the native Howeitat tribe to use the land for the city. Apart from the attempt to forcefully take a tribe's only home, NEOM is also planning on building an esports academy, which many LGBTQ esports fans have denounced, saying that they could be put in danger by traveling there.
NEOM has targeted esports as an important building block for the future city. “Esports is at the centre of NEOM’s exciting plans for Sport," writes BLAST CEO Robbie Douek. “We’re delighted to be able to assist them in shaping this long-term goal.” Sadly, it seems that assistance could result in the eviction of a native tribe as well as being funded by a government infamously oppressive of humans rights.