According to one report to Dot Sports, Alienware, Dell’s proprietary high-performance gaming computer brand, has broken ties with Riot Games over Riot’s ongoing sexual harassment investigation, Nicolo Laurent, and other public relations concerns.
The deal, which was initially scheduled to end in January 2022, appears to have been terminated early amid concerns over Riot’s public image. At the beginning of the year, Laurent was sued by his former executive assistant for sexual harassment. In 2019, Riot agreed to a lawsuit for gender discrimination $ 10 million and in 2018, Kotaku reported Riot’s toxic and sexist work culture.
Alienware previously sponsored all of Riot’s League of Legends world sports broadcasts, including its Worlds tournament. Since then, Riot has removed the Alienware brand.
In a statement a Dot Sports, Riot said negotiations with Alienware were ongoing.
“At this time we are unable to comment on our agreement with them due to confidentiality obligations,” the statement said, “As we continue to discuss with them, we have removed their mark from our broadcasts.”
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Kotaku has contacted Riot and Alienware to comment.