Update: Carlos has decided to step down fully from G2 Esports.
This came a few days after G2 posted an update saying that founder and CEO Carlos ‘ocelote’ Rodríguez had agreed to take eight weeks of leave without pay.
Carlos added: “Many G2 fans were let down this weekend which created confusion about what I stand for. It has always been my consistent target to stand for absolute equality of opportunity, regardless of who you are or where you come from, which is what gaming is all about.
“Make no mistake, my life was full of learnings and I had my fair share of situations I got into in the past. I failed to read this room right, feel terrible about the discussions it created and will stand up and accept the consequences in full.”
Carlos’ former partner Rose has also published a statement defending him:
Original article: G2 Esports founder and CEO, Carlos ‘ocelote’ Rodríguez (aka G2 Carlos), has defended a video of himself partying with Andrew Tate.
Carlos posted the video on Twitter earlier which shows him and others celebrating G2 qualifying for League of Legends Worlds 2022, with bottles of what appears to be champagne and sparklers. Controversial British-American influencer Andrew Tate can be seen enjoying himself with a cigar in his mouth.
This drew an extremely negative reaction from the esports community, with many calling out Carlos for hanging around with Andrew Tate, who was recently banned by Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for his views on women and alleged abuse claims.
A few hours later, G2 Carlos responded to the reaction, saying nobody can police his friendships and that he will party with “whoever the fuck I want”.
This drew even more criticism from the esports community, with fans and also prominent figures in esports calling out Carlos for associating himself with Tate, especially after G2’s recent signing of a women’s League of Legends team and Riot’s plans to add a League of Legends women’s circuit.
At the time of writing, none of the members of G2 Hel had commented on the situation. Update: Caltys posted her views the next day:
British LEC caster Medic said to Carlos on Twitter: “You posted a video partying with a known misogynist who calls women property. It’s misguided at best and engagement bait most likely. This is fucking low man, party with who you want but expect people to judge you for it.”
Fellow British LEC caster Caedrel added:
“It’s a yikes evening for esports. Absolute cringe fest and if you’re a misogynistic pig defending what’s happening, drop a quick unfollow and fuck off. Absolute brainwashed degenerate sheep who need to grow up.”
Caedrel
Becca Henry, VP of communications at Misfits, Florida Mayhem and Mutineers, commented: “I’m sure I don’t even need to say this, but to all other teams and organisations in any esport: keep Andrew Tate out of esports. We are better than this.”
UK caster Aux added: “Expectations should be huge when you’re the CEO of such a successful org and have so many active fans, particularly young men who are the target demographic for Tate. Tate is a piece of shit and Carlos is associating with him and promoting him, disgusting behaviour.”
Some G2 fans also said they would no longer support the organisation.
Amber, a community moderator for Medic, Daniel Drakos and Foxdrop, posted a picture of her cut-up G2 jersey:
JakeyBoyPro, a UK freelance esports broadcast producer, added: “As someone who recently left G2, please don’t send hate the staffs way. Everyone who works for G2, no matter the role, are amazing people and don’t deserve to have shit thrown their way for something beyond their control. I’m just a message away if anyone needs support.”
Some were in support of Tate and Carlos, like Unicorns of Love Wild Rift mid-laner, Royalwinsmid, who said Carlos’ video was a “Common ocelote W”.
Carlos also came under fire recently for his association with the Saudi Esports Federation:
Last month, the Andrew Tate Foundation was established as Tate posted his final message saying he’s been unfairly treated around his socials ban.
Further reading: Andrew Tate: A dangerous role model to young men or an internet idol for a disjointed generation? – Opinion
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
