G2 Esports CEO Resigns Amidst Controversy Over Association with Andrew Tate

Warning: This story contains descriptions of misogynistic behavior. Update, September 26, 2022: Carlos Rodríguez, the co-founder of G2 Esports, has officially resigned from his position as CEO. According to reports by Esports Insider, Rodríguez announced his decision via a video on Twitter, which was subsequently confirmed by G2 Esports in an official statement. In the video, Rodríguez acknowledged full responsibility for the recent events and expressed his devastation at leaving the company. G2 Esports stated that it has accepted Rodríguez's resignation and emphasized its commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting a diverse gaming community, explicitly condemning any form of misogyny. Original story, September 19, 2022: G2 Esports CEO Carlos Rodríguez was initially placed on eight weeks of unpaid leave after facing criticism for a Twitter video featuring himself alongside Andrew Tate, an influencer banned by major social media platforms for hate speech and misogynistic content. The controversy began when Rodríguez posted an eight-second video with Tate, captioning it as a celebration of G2's world championship win. The video sparked widespread backlash, prompting Rodríguez to defend his actions, stating that he would not be policed on his friendships and would associate with whoever he chose. Tate's past has been marred by controversy, including removal from the TV show Big Brother in 2016 due to a video appearing to show him assaulting a woman, as well as comments suggesting that victims of rape bear some responsibility. G2 Esports addressed the situation on Twitter, acknowledging that Rodríguez's actions were inconsistent with the company's values and apologizing for the harm caused. Rodríguez also issued a statement, expressing regret for the confusion caused and reaffirming his commitment to equality of opportunity, which he believes is a fundamental aspect of the gaming community. The incident occurred shortly after G2 Sports announced the formation of its first all-female League of Legends team. Additional reporting by Marie Dealessandri