According to a report in Dot Esports, Alienware, the high-performance PC brand owned by Dell, has severed ties with Riot Games due to Riot CEO Nicolo Laurent over the ongoing investigation into sexual harassment and other concerns about public relations.
The agreement, which was originally scheduled to end in January 2022, appears to have been terminated early due to concerns about Riot’s public image. Earlier this year, Laurent sued by his former executive assistant for sexual harassment. In 2019, Riot resolved a case for gender discrimination $ 10 million dollars and in 2018, Kotaku reported on Riot’s toxic and sexist work culture.
Alienware has previously sponsored Riot’s League of Legends worldwide esports broadcasts, including its Worlds tournament. Riot, meanwhile, has removed Alienware’s brand.
In a statement to Dot Esports, Riot said negotiations with Alienware are continuing.
“We are unable to comment on our agreement with them at this time because we have confidentiality obligations,” the statement said.
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Kotaku issued Riot and Alienware for comment.