The Electronic Sports League has announced that they will be cutting association with eSports group Team YP due to its main sponsor being adult entertainment site YouPorn.
This follows new rules from the ESL that prohibit any sponsors that are “widely known for pornographic or other adult/mature themes and products”.
Team YP have made several appeals to overturn the decision, even offering to completely rebrand so as not to refer to YouPorn in any way.
“I am disappointed that Team YP’s growth is being stunted by this decision, not to mention the effect that this will have on our roster of players,” said team manager Claire Fisher.
“While for some, our participation in esports has been controversial, stopping our players from competing because they are sponsored by us, in spite of Team YP operating as a completely SFW [safe for work] brand, clearly separated from any adult content, seems unfair to say the least.”
“We feel like this rule has been implemented in direct connection to our sponsor’s efforts,” Team YP’s Rainbow Six: Siege and Evolve captain Eril “YP_Nightwane” Djoehana said.“ It was only created after we started entering ESL cups and started getting noticed.”
How do you feel about Team YP’s exclusion? Let us know in the comments below.
More gaming news
This is what the GTX 1080 will look like
Loading ...
It’s in the name though. Team YP…it’s right there.
But who cares, it’s a sponsorship. If a sponsor decides to donate money to sick and starving kids will you turn it down because of the relation to the adult industry? I know it’s not exactly the same, but it’s required funds I’d think.
Yes it’s all good and well trying to keep gaming clean, etc., but you do realise these are gamers you’re trying to protect? I’m sure they know their way around the industry already.