Another esports league under pressure to cancel Neom deal
Another online gaming tournament is facing a furious backlash following the announcement that Neom would be a sponsor.
Blast Premiere, a Danish esports league for popular video game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, announced a sponsorship deal with Neom on Tuesday, 28 July.
Robbie Douek, CEO for Blast, said in a statement: “Esports is at the centre of Neom’s exciting plans for Sport, we’re delighted to be able to assist them in shaping this long-term goal. This is a record deal for BLAST and testament to our recent growth and standing in the industry right now.”
The Blast website states: “The unique deal will seek to engage, educate and benefit the local and global esports ecosystem. As part of the partnership BLAST will develop technology and share expertise to help build the esports academy and develop the sport in the Kingdom.”
However, many professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players vowed in response to boycott Blast events as a result, citing issues relating to Neom’s clearance of the Huwaitat community from the region in which Neom is being built and its human rights record.
Well known figures in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gaming community took to Twitter to voice their outrage.
Well-known gamer Harry Russell explained in a tweet: “Blast x NEOM is a disgrace to the BLAST brand, an organization I know is filled with wonderful, talented and loving individuals. The idea that this could be ‘silenced’ through ignoring it is not a standard of precedent that should be set.”
Another, Hugo Byron, said in response: “I stand by Harry, my colleagues and every person who has been persecuted by archaic Governments for being themselves. I urge everyone to educate themselves on the human rights violations being committed by NEOM and its owners.”
The controversy comes just weeks after a similar sponsorship announcement was made by Riot Games’ esports league, League of Legends European Championship. Following a similar backlash, the sponsorship deal was cancelled after just 15 hours.
Sports, including esports, are a central part of Saudi Arabia’s hopes for the Neom project, which aims to be a world leader in the field. Opposition from key figures in the online gaming community will be seen as a huge blow to public relations for Neom and the Saudi regime.
