Topline
Following a monthslong investigation, Riot Games, a video game company known for the games League of Legends and Valorant, punished prominent esports businessman Andy Dinh and his company TSM on Wednesday for disparaging and bullying behavior towards players and staff.
Andy Dinh, founder and CEO of esports company TSM, or Team SoloMid, faces probation for years of ... [+]
Key Facts
Video game developer and publisher Riot Games handed down a two-year probation to Dinh, the CEO and cofounder of esports organization TSM, which manages competitive gaming teams and video game streamers that play prominent video games including League of Legends and Valorant.
Riot also fined TSM $75,000, which is triple the maximum fine for misconduct by a League Championship Series team member, because the investigation found that Dinh’s misconduct stretched over several years.
Riot was able to issue the fine because it owns and runs the LCS, the highest esports league of professional League of Legends players, and TSM signed an agreement with LCS to operate under a set of rules forbidding harassment, profanity and hate speech.
Additionally, during the probationary period, TSM staff will have access to an anonymous tip line to report instances of abusive conduct by Dinh, following allegations that Dinh verbally abused professional players and staff by communicating in a “demeaning and belittling manner,” according to the ruling.
The punishment follows an investigation that began in November 2021, led by Riot Games and with involvement from the Legends Championship Series and an independent law firm.
Forbes named TSM the highest-valued esports company this year at $540 million, and Dinh, 30, is a former professional League of Legends player and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum.
Key Background
TSM, which Dinh founded in 2009, has competitive teams for the games Riot is most well known for, League of Legends and Valorant. In May, TSM itself announced the completion of its own investigation of Dinh, which found “no unlawful conduct” but recommended corrective action including leadership training for Dinh. The gaming industry is no stranger to allegations of a toxic workplace. In December, Riot Games itself settled a class-action suit over gender discrimination for $100 million. Another video game giant, Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard faced an $18 million settlement in a sexual harassment suit, which a court approved in March.
Crucial Quote
“We are pleased to see strong action from Riot and the LCS team on this matter,” reads a statement from the League Championship Series Players Association, a nonprofit trade association for League of Legends players. The statement lauds the ruling as a step “towards real change to a toxic workplace” but emphasizes that the association will “remain vigilant to ensure follow-through on this ruling.”
Further Reading
Riot Games Puts Esports Team TSM Owner On Probation for Bullying (Bloomberg)
Riot Games fines TSM, places CEO Andy Dinh on 2-year probation for bullying (Washington Post)
The Most Valuable Esports Companies 2022 (Forbes)
Riot Games Is Investigating a Top Esports Team Founder Over Bullying Allegations (Wired)
