The founder and CEO of G2 Esports, one of the most popular esports clubs in the world, Carlos “Ocelote” Rodríguez announced that he would step down from his position on Friday night. For a week now, he has been criticized by fans for controversial positions on social media.
In an on-camera video posted to his Twitter account Friday night, Carlos “Ocelot” Rodriguez announced that he would step down as CEO of G2 Esports, the esports club he founded in 2014 and has run continuously ever since. For a week, the Spanish leader had been at the center of a controversy, after the publication of a video that showed him at an evening with Andrew Tate, an openly misogynistic influencer and suspected of human trafficking. At first, he had defended his right to the party. “with whoever I wanted”before being fired by his organization, and finally submitting his resignation.
At the center of the controversy, Ocelote had always remained encamped in his position, even going so far as to like tweets defending Tate. This controversial episode had earned him much criticism on social networks, including from some of his employees. She had especially cost G2 her place Inside the VCT, Valorant’s new great circuit : initially selected to participate in the American league, according to various specialized media, the structure was finally discarded by Riot Games, publisher of the game and organizer of the competition.
An emblematic figure of European esport
In eight years of existence, G2 has established itself as one of the most prestigious sports clubs in the world, its growth plays an important role in the development of the discipline in Europe. The structure had notably acquired its prestige thanks to its nine European champion titles in League of Legends, the game in which Ocelote debuted. Until this Friday, the leader continued to be the figurehead and the face of the organization, standing out for his cynicism in business and his outstanding outings on social networks.
His departure, however, does not mark the death of the club: in the press release announcing his resignation, the leaders commit to “To fully perpetuate the legacy of G2”. But the structure now faces a great challenge: to endure and maintain its popularity without the person who embodied it on a day-to-day basis. Sportingly, in any case, we will have to advance quickly. In two weeks, the team League of Legends debut in the World Cupthe most anticipated event of the year.