Dexerto reports that Rick’s decision to leave stems from a round of heated emails where an unidentified shareholder referred to former CEO Jace Hall by using a racial epithet.
In an internal business dispute between Jace Hall and a member Vision Venture Partners, whose esports division invested in the Echo Fox brand, the shareholder used the n-word to describe Hall who is of African-American descent. We are currently withholding the shareholder’s name pending a response to comment.
The unfortunate part of this situation is that this same shareholder has used these terms before, and although most people who work closely with both Rick and the shareholder were trying to ignore the ugliness of the situation Rick feels as though it’s time for him to leave now before things get messier. In his official exit statement Rick write;
“All,
This is an official notification of my intention to exit the Echo Fox organization as a shareholder and participant as soon as I am able to facilitate a transaction to do so. The recent outrageous and abhorrent display of pure racism made by a significant Echo Fox shareholder as well as threats to my family have made it impossible for me to continue to remain associated with the company.
I will not support or be associated with such behaviour and attitudes displayed at the shareholder level. Racism is an anathema to what my personal brand strives for and tolerating any form of discrimination such as this is not acceptable.
This notification serves as the beginning process of exiting the company. I will be contacting all relevant and interested people. My position in the GP and the entity that owns my shares are available. Depending on the proposal there are different ways to structure a deal, acquire my entity, swap positions, etc. Interested parties can contact me. I’m moving on the first deal that sits well.”
In a tweet regarding Rick and Echo Fox’s turmoil Riot Games, who oversees the League of Legends tournament, stated;
We have launched an investigation into the allegations and will respond accordingly, based on available actions within our team agreements and the LCS Rules. -Chris Greeley, LCS Commissioner (2/2)
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) April 26, 2019
Way to take a stand Rick! But it looks like this drama is just getting started. Stay tuned.
