IOC and Saudi Arabia Ditch Esports Partnership Amid Controversy Over Human Rights Record
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has severed ties with its Saudi Arabian partner, marking a significant blow to their joint esports initiative. The decision comes weeks after a $55 billion investment by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in Electronic Arts sent shockwaves through the gaming industry.
The two-year partnership, which was announced in 2024, aimed to bring Olympic-grade esports competition to the world stage every other year. However, with the controversy surrounding human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and its handling of women's rights issues, it appears the relationship had become increasingly untenable.
According to sources close to the IOC, the organization has decided to "pursue their own esports ambitions on separate paths." This decision is seen as a pragmatic move by the IOC to distance itself from criticism over human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The two parties have agreed to focus on developing their respective esports strategies without further collaboration.
The news comes as the IOC faces mounting pressure to address concerns over its handling of sensitive issues, including human rights and athlete welfare. With Kristy Coventry at the helm, the organization is seeking to rebrand itself as a champion of Olympic values while connecting with younger fans through innovative partnerships like esports.
However, critics argue that such efforts may be compromised by the IOC's own reputation on these issues. Saudi Arabia's notorious record on human rights has long been a concern among activists and critics, who point out that games do not lead to violence. As the IOC looks to reassert its credibility, it must navigate a complex web of competing interests and expectations.
For now, the Olympic Esports Games, which were initially scheduled for this year before being pushed back to 2027, remain on track. But with the Saudi Arabian partnership gone, questions linger over how the IOC will proceed with its plans to connect with young gamers while upholding its values.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has severed ties with its Saudi Arabian partner, marking a significant blow to their joint esports initiative. The decision comes weeks after a $55 billion investment by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in Electronic Arts sent shockwaves through the gaming industry.
The two-year partnership, which was announced in 2024, aimed to bring Olympic-grade esports competition to the world stage every other year. However, with the controversy surrounding human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and its handling of women's rights issues, it appears the relationship had become increasingly untenable.
According to sources close to the IOC, the organization has decided to "pursue their own esports ambitions on separate paths." This decision is seen as a pragmatic move by the IOC to distance itself from criticism over human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The two parties have agreed to focus on developing their respective esports strategies without further collaboration.
The news comes as the IOC faces mounting pressure to address concerns over its handling of sensitive issues, including human rights and athlete welfare. With Kristy Coventry at the helm, the organization is seeking to rebrand itself as a champion of Olympic values while connecting with younger fans through innovative partnerships like esports.
However, critics argue that such efforts may be compromised by the IOC's own reputation on these issues. Saudi Arabia's notorious record on human rights has long been a concern among activists and critics, who point out that games do not lead to violence. As the IOC looks to reassert its credibility, it must navigate a complex web of competing interests and expectations.
For now, the Olympic Esports Games, which were initially scheduled for this year before being pushed back to 2027, remain on track. But with the Saudi Arabian partnership gone, questions linger over how the IOC will proceed with its plans to connect with young gamers while upholding its values.
the saudi arabian debacle is a mess... i mean, we all get it about human rights and stuff but can't they see esports is about gaming and sports? 
not politics 
anyway, the IOC's gotta think twice before partnering with anyone on sensitive issues. maybe they should just stick to the games 
and leave the human rights debates for experts who actually know what's going on 
esports is a huge thing now and they wanna be a part of it but at what cost? Saudi Arabia's got some serious issues going on there... it feels like the IOC is more worried about losing face than actually doing what's right. I mean, games aren't gonna lead to violence or anything, so can't we just focus on that instead of getting bogged down in politics? 
. Guess the IOC just decided they didnt wanna mess around with that noob 
the olympics is all about human rights and yet they're still so clueless about it whats next they gonna partner with china or somethin? 
. The IOC should've stuck it out and tried to address those issues directly instead of just severing ties. But hey, at least they're trying to rebrand themselves as a champion of Olympic values 
. It's like, they want to connect with the younger generation through esports, but if they can't even do that without compromising on human rights, it's hard to get on board 
... i think it's a shame that sports (or gaming) can't be separated from politics, you know? like, esports is supposed to be fun and competitive 
.
... it's crazy that the IOC was willing to overlook human rights concerns for a hefty investment. i guess that says a lot about the state of our world right now 
.
. let's hope the IOC can learn from this and find a better way to balance their goals with their values 
.
to boost their reputation. But let's be real, the IOC is trying to rebrand itself as a champion of Olympic values and connecting with younger fans through esports 
. It's not like they're doing it for the wrong reasons. I think this decision is a good move, it shows they're willing to take a step back and reevaluate their priorities 
. Plus, Saudi Arabia isn't exactly known for its progressive human rights record, so I don't blame them for distancing themselves from that 
.
that they finally decided to ditch that toxic partnership! I mean, come on, $55 billion investment and all 
. The IOC needs to get their act together and make sure they're not enabling some shady stuff 
.
Fingers crossed!
. The IOC is trying to make a good impression, but it's hard when there are so many eyes on them 
.
. It's better to prioritize their values over a partnership that might be seen as tainted 
. The Olympics are all about promoting unity and fair play, not perpetuating human rights abuses 
️. They've got some great ideas for connecting with younger gamers, but it's gotta be done in a way that aligns with their values 
. Maybe this is an opportunity for them to rethink their whole approach to esports and youth engagement?
The esports scene is all about the benjamins 
. Not cool, fam 
. Can't just partner with someone who's got a sketchy human rights record 
.
. those issues are super important and we can't just ignore them. it's like, games are meant to bring people together not perpetuate harm