Controversial Twitch streamer and journalist Richard Lewis condemned T1 and other esports organizations for their poor management of the community. He published a video on Dexerto's YouTube channel expressing his disgust on how T1 responded from the community's homophobic and racial slurs directed on Nick “LS” De Cesare, after rumors started circulating that he will serve as the team's head coach. LS is a proud member of the LGBT community who currently lives in South Korea, a country known for their prejudice on members of the community. He is currently straying away from social media, fearing for his life upon hearing the leakage of his grandmother's address.

Due to the backlash directed on LS, T1 had to respond expressing their apologies as well as the courses of action that they've undertaken which included temporarily closing their discord channel and conducting internal discussions with regards to social media policy.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
esports world cup prize pool, esports world cup prize, esports world cup, a media image of the esports world cup venue with the competition logo at the top and the words life-changing prize money below

Jesseyriche Cortez ·

valorant red bull instalock 2024 g2 gozen game changers

XC Enriquez ·

league of legends patch 14.7 notes skarner rework update

XC Enriquez ·

However Lewis felt that this statement and the organization's planned courses of action are insufficient in addressing the issue. Lewis mentioned at the tailend of the video that T1 should aggressively pursue the harassers and condemn their insensitive behavior. He concluded that T1's play it safe approach is promoting these controversial behaviors.

In the middle of the video, Lewis explained the reason for the “morale cowardice” of esports organizations, stating their desire to earn profits above everything else. He mentioned the importance of the Chinese and South Korean gaming communities and companies, which are known to be conservative by contradicting LGBT rights and he showed examples on how esports organizations would censor their Pride Week content for these audiences.