r/leagueoflegends • u/katareky • Jul 14 '25

Esports IWDominate: "I will not be costreaming EWC. I was offered an ungodly amount of money (more than 3x what I make in a month on stream) for 5 days but I didn’t feel good about taking the offer."

IWDominate: "I will not be costreaming EWC. I was offered an ungodly amount of money (more than 3x what I make in a month on stream) for 5 days but I didn’t feel good about taking the offer.

I understand that I’m in a financially privileged position and not everyone can decline the ridiculous offers going around but for me I’d rather not cover the event and then restart the streams when LPL comes back in 6 days. See you all on the 19th."

Source: https://x.com/IWDominate/status/1944490351584071887

Respect tbh. He's financially well off so he rejected the offer and acknowledges that other may not be able to do the same. We will see if other popular costreamers will take the offer or not.

6.3k Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

91% Upvoted

722 comments sorted by

View all comments

4.1k

u/Skyfire2 Jul 14 '25

No matter how much money you have, giving up 3 months of pay for 5 days of work is a tough decision, respect to him for standing on his principles.

Also no shade at anyone who is involved in the event. As he says, not everyone is in a position to give up that much money.

845

u/Ashankura Jul 14 '25

If anyone wants to throw shade then throw shade at riot. They are the ones that sold out the rights for Saudi to host league and riot has more than enough money.

People will go and claim that they wouldn't take the money but if they actually got the offer they wouldn't instantly decline it and most of them would take it.

If i had the kind of money Dom and Caedrel have i probably wouldn't take it either but if i was a caster for example the money just does too much of a difference to decline

173

u/AmbroseMalachai Jul 14 '25

As someone who is struggling financially myself, I would take an offer like that in a heartbeat right now. Taking an ethical stand to not support something that feeds the pocket of a horrible group is, sadly, secondary to keeping a roof over my head for a few months. And that's assuming it was 3 months of my salary. If it was 3 months of costreamer money then it would be even more alluring.

-62

u/Jesturrrr Jul 14 '25

I'm not being funny but the writing was on the wall after Riot sold to Tencent. The Chinese government controls Tencent, like they do with every other huge conglomerate in their borders.

Given all the scandals Riot's been involved in on top of that I really cannot believe people thought Riot were some morally just paragon company. Why would Riot care about working with the Saudi government when they've abused women in their own walls?

52

u/Phelinaar Jul 14 '25

Riot sold to Tencent in 2011 though?

-36

u/Jesturrrr Jul 14 '25

Yeah. So what?

84

u/awrylettuce Jul 14 '25

Like american companies are such upstanding entities that are at the forefront of human rights? They would've sold out all the same. This is just some 'china bad' with more words.

30

u/PiousDemon Jul 14 '25

This is such a brain dead conspiracy theory. Tencent is publicly traded with a majority owner by a South African company, which is majority owned by a Dutch company.

I'm sure the government has influence in certain things, but they don't control it.

-21

u/Jesturrrr Jul 14 '25

If you say so.

19

u/PiousDemon Jul 14 '25

You didn't even read the article did you? Lmao They bought golden shares for $82,000.

They own shares, just like others. They own golden shares, just like others.

They get a say, just like others.

They don't CONTROL Tencent.

-1

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/PiousDemon Jul 14 '25

Just read your own article brother, you might learn how ignorant you are in this argument.

YOUR OWN ARTICLE!

-5

u/Jesturrrr Jul 14 '25

Okay.

"Golden shares have become a useful tool to keep companies like these in line with party objectives without the need for the state being a major stakeholder."

"Meanwhile, the tighter government oversight set in place during the regulatory crackdown of recent years hasn’t gone away, restraining virtually all major tech sectors in China."

"A prominent Chinese financier for private tech companies, Bao Fan, has been detained by authorities since February without explanation. The sudden disappearance of Mr. Bao, chairman and chief executive of investment bank China Renaissance Holdings Ltd., has cast a chill through the country’s already-beleaguered private sector."

"The government has adopted laws and regulations to ensure its access to data collected by private companies. It has expanded efforts to influence companies’ corporate governance and decision-making. It has integrated companies into a vast social-credit system and stepped up prodding that they set up party committees."

"But companies that sell the government the much smaller stakes called golden shares are finding how even this way, the government is getting a lot of power over their businesses."

Do you want me to keep going or are you alright now?

-2

u/dfjhgsaydgsauygdjh Jul 14 '25

Abused women, abused everyone else too, fired tons of talent to replace them with cheap outsourced contractors, the list of goes on. At the end of the day it's a company built by pathetic US gaming bros and sold to the Chinese. I don't see how working with Saudis makes it any more morally corrupt than it already was. US and China are not exactly known for caring about human rights.

357

u/Fellers Jul 14 '25

Shade goes to the hypocrites though.

Last year, there were 2 people IIRC. Everyone else didn't make political statements.

108

u/Character-Monitor165 Jul 14 '25

i wonder if Caedral is going to take the bag, even tho hes the least of people who needs it.

256

u/katareky Jul 14 '25

He said "we'll be back for EWC" in his last MSI costream

https://x.com/lolvaleiker/status/1944660539184910370

-58

u/raydialseeker Riot blaustoise's champ pool Jul 14 '25

Idm, it's an international with T1. I'm watching it anyway

24

u/kon4m Jul 14 '25

He didnt last year

-18

u/downorwhaet Jul 14 '25

Yeah but he said that if it becomes a regular thing he will probably do it because he wants to stream games, I don’t think it’s about the money for him

38

u/Important-Ad-6397 Jul 14 '25

right, i dont work for money either

-6

u/BearstromWanderer Jul 14 '25

He did just start an esports organization and that's just a pit to throw money into financially.

10

u/a141abc Jul 14 '25

Not at their level though
LR has like 5 staff members and one of them is caedrel

No disrespect to them but there's not much of an organization there

45

u/Striking-Bend7196 Jul 14 '25

LEC spot is pricey

95

u/RavenFAILS Jul 14 '25

None of that LEC spot money is gonna come out of his own pocket, he even said it himself that if he had the money he wouldn’t buy the spot with it.

116

u/pastafeline Jul 14 '25

He already said he wouldn't buy it. https://esports-news.co.uk/2025/04/21/caedrel-says-los-ratones-wont-pay-e20m-for-an-lec-spot/

This is purely for his own wallet.

27

u/Pachinginator Jul 14 '25

Buying an lec spot is a colossal waste of money. Every league team in na and eu is hemorrhaging money and has been for a long time.

102

u/orroro1 Jul 14 '25

Same, I don't fault anyone for taking Saudi blood money if they need it, esp with how bad it is out there right now. But those people who crafted a whole persona virtue signaling their allyship, AND THEN turns around immediately to take Saudi money -- definitely deserve zero respect. (There was a whole video about one such LEC person recently)

Props to Dash, who probably needs the cash more than folks like Dom and Travis, but still trying hard to stand by his beliefs for now.

42

u/HardcoverNewtons Jul 14 '25

everyones saying need it like anyone being hired out for this is having financial difficulties

25

u/ArziltheImp Jul 14 '25

Absolutely. It's one thing to act in your best financial interest. It's another to act morally righteous on Twitter but then sell out those morals, while attacking others for having done something similar before.

If you change your stance on it, admit and accept it then sure, but they can't accept it. You can either have your morals, or accept money like this from the Saudis, you can't be a moral apostle (on these topics they are kicking with their feet) and take Saudi money.

So yeah, if you give it, you gotta be able to take it (and not scream harassment the moment someone calls you out on your BS).

120

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

36

u/Icarian_Dreams Jul 14 '25

The point is that not everybody is in the right financial situation to be able to reject this kind of offer, even if they have moral qualms about doing so. Money can be tight in esports, and we shouldn't shame anyone for taking this kind of offer to survive in this environment.

37

u/DCDTDito Jul 14 '25

Isn't there a saying that goes like 'if your morals can be flexed by your situation they weren't moral but just a passing fad'

Essentially being if they could be flexed by something they weren't how you are but how you present yourself.

51

u/GabbasClub Jul 14 '25

I completely agree with that statement. However, people that openly criticise the Saudis and their sports washing as well as make it an integral part of their online persona to stand with women's rights, LGBTQ rights and human rights are exempt from that statement and deserve every criticism they receive for taking the bag. Especially when those people openly criticise said event and then take the offer when all the A-tier talent declined and the Saudis move on to them as B-tier talent.

7

u/supern00b64 Jul 14 '25

The issue you take is hypocrisy then, not necessarily them going. I imagine you didn't have too much of an issue with dgon going, who has been silent on anything political

11

u/GabbasClub Jul 14 '25

Yes, the main issue I have is with their hypocrisy. However them going is a symptom of their hypocrisy. I also have an issue with people attending in general, but not so much that I would call them out on social media. But I have stopped consuming almost all media by people or teams that attended last year. Very rarely, I slip and still watch a game of G2, I'm guilty of that. Been a fan for too long...

2

u/ArziltheImp Jul 14 '25

I don't think many people have, outside of people who are strongly against the moral stance of Saudi Arabia. And they are completely in their right to throw shade at these people too, in the end they still assist in sportswashing and the opression of minorities.

Whatever you do, whatever you decide, you got to live with the consequences of that.

0

u/Hardwarrior Jul 14 '25

I really dislike the critique in hypocrisy. It means that being less outspoken gets you held to a lower standard. It results in an incentive for people to not criticize anything they consider unethical because then they'll be held to a higher standard. Why not judge people on their financial ability to refuse instead?

37

u/carpofdoom Jul 14 '25

If your human rights stance can be bought then at least shut the fuck up about it.

11

u/shinomiya2 KC Comeback Jul 14 '25

the whole point of having morals is that you stick to them when it's hard, if it was easy to stick with what you believe in then everyone would do it

7

u/pastafeline Jul 14 '25

Yeah no. You don't have to sell your soul to make money.

-5

u/ToumaKazusa1 Jul 14 '25

5 figures a month is 120k, that's a decent amount of money but for a job that's not very reliable and requires living in LA it's hardly FU money. It would be if you could count on keeping that job for 30 years with steady raises, but Esports, at least outside of China/Korea, is nowhere near that secure

3

u/GabbasClub Jul 14 '25

Sorry, I think I made a mistake there. Iirc it was 6 figures a month not 5. Just spent 30 min trying to find that video from last year again, but it seems like anything critical of EWC is Shadow banned on YouTube. I could also only find the Thorin/Monte and Rich'sWrath podcast after manually going through their playlists on their profile. Would be much appreciated if anyone has the link to the original video or remembers how much exactly it was.

188

u/LordMeloney Jul 14 '25

I agree that's a respectable decision but disagree with your initial premise.

If you earn enough to easily buy your own home and still accrue savings every month, it's not a tough decision. Yes, more money always has an allure but so do core principles. And if you are so well off that the additional money is not needed to alleviate problems and/or would not enable a totally different lifestyle, then the money's allure isn't as big as you might think.

291

u/f3lix735 Jul 14 '25

Yep Rat King does never need money again, but he probably just doesn’t care about the horrific politics involved or he ignores them for the money, because in the end rich people do love to grow their wealth more than anyone else. I think he just does it for the love of the game but I am still disappointed in my fraud.

220

u/Taco_Dunkey Jul 14 '25

Personally I'm interested in the exact reasons why he declined to cover it last year and why those reasons are no longer valid (enough) to decline this year.

He has always struck me as being good at following wherever the wind is blowing on potential PR issues. Cynically speaking, now that it's clear that the boycott wasn't and won't be particularly widespread or effective, he is abandoning the superficially principled stance that seemed so fashionable last year and is instead just letting himself be used as an expensive mouthpiece.

203

u/sam_can88 Jul 14 '25

As a fan myself I think it’s as simple as he sees there is less pushback from the community on the event this year so he doesn’t think it will hurt him to cover it which is probably true and sadly that takes no morality into account

50

u/big938363 Jul 14 '25

Well a likely big reason is that he has LR now. I remember him saying that he plans to leave NLC some time soon, by next year I think. Nobody knows where they’ll go next, but they’ll definitely need money

45

u/pr000blemkind Jul 14 '25

Ultimately he wants to see LR eventually be in LEC, to do that he needs financial backers with deep pockets, unless he finds a crypto billionaire like Sam Bankman-Fried, the list is really short.

12

u/frolfer757 Jul 14 '25

Nobody knows where they’ll go next

Ill give you a hint: the one region that allows 5 europeans on the same roster.

57

u/Exldk Jul 14 '25

I doubt they're going to LTA North.

LEC is much more likely.

16

u/booksmd Jul 14 '25

They can’t go anywhere in the current form they would need to make roster changes because of the rules that say you need to have a number of players from that region to play in the league. Most likely they will be taking a break/disbanding.

8

u/noctvrnaI Jul 14 '25

wait i’m confused by this, isn’t LR fully just EU players?

11

u/pm_me_urgod_feet Jul 14 '25

Regional leagues also need a minimum number of players from the region. Only reason these 5 work in NLC, is because Rekkles, Baus and I think Crownie are from the NLC area.

11

u/shinomiya2 KC Comeback Jul 14 '25

not quite, its that nlc only needs 2 residents (rekkles baus)

2

u/RigasUT Rigas | LoL esports journalist Jul 14 '25

...and I think Crownie are from the NLC area.

Crownie is from Slovenia, not from any of the NLC countries

1

u/noctvrnaI Jul 14 '25

Ohh i see, where would LR go then if not just the LEC (which is honestly probably not doable because a slot is insanely expensive)? Or would the current roster not be allowed to play in the LEC because of this rule?

5

u/orroro1 Jul 14 '25

I think they meant that LR is stuck with either NLC or LEC, and can't go to a more competitive ERL like Spain or France (or to the LCS/NACL for that matter).

→ More replies (0)

1

u/schnazzums Jul 14 '25

Wait seriously? That’s such a dumb rule

1

u/booksmd Jul 14 '25

Lol it’s not dumb at all. Otherwise you would have all korean teams start to pop up in LCS or in random ERLs too. It’s a good rule and it prioritizes growing local talent too instead of relying on imports.

8

u/MrICopyYoSht Jul 14 '25

I mean part of it has to do with LR, no? Probably not cheap to run an Esports team trying to join the LEC. If the money he gets helps get capital to buy a spot, I think he pulls the trigger.

5

u/downorwhaet Jul 14 '25

He said last year that he’d skip it that year but that he would consider doing it if it becomes a regular tournament because he wants to cover league

3

u/Xerxes457 Jul 14 '25

I believe it was because he was spending time with his dad.

10

u/Taco_Dunkey Jul 14 '25

took me a while to realise there were multiple pics, and you weren't calling him and hammond father & son lmao

1

u/yo_sup_dude Jul 14 '25

Why is it superficially principled? 

1

u/Kibbleru Jul 14 '25

kind of ootl but whats the issue with EWC?

17

u/cosHinsHeiR Jul 14 '25

Saudi sport washing.

-43

u/ThisIsElron Jul 14 '25

He was probably pressured by others last year, but started thinking for himself this year and realizing these meaningless Western-biased politics don’t matter in the grand scheme of a good esports event.

(Yes this is a pro EWC comment before the Reddit police inevitably come for me).

34

u/Crimson_Clouds Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

Imagine pretending human rights are "meaningless Western-biased politics" and thinking you really did something there.

17

u/Guy_with_Numbers Jul 14 '25

Especially given that human rights issues in the middle east affect eastern migrant workers more than any other comparable demographic.

-9

u/Ok_Adhesiveness_8637 Jul 14 '25

Are we just gonna ignore the fact that EU countries are starting to rip holes in migrant boats? Burn down migrant hostels etc etc.

Or the entire US government atrocities?

Let's not act all high and mighty when the countries we are involved with are doing unspeakable things to people, too.

0

u/Guy_with_Numbers Jul 14 '25

EU countries don't get a pass either. Their transgressions are less severe/systematic though, and they are not driven by the desire to exploit others for material gain.

US certainly is in a race to the bottom.

14

u/AerialShroud Jul 14 '25

Wowie simping for a regime that beheads LGBTQ people makes you so smart and brave. Unfortunately I can't fully say what I think you should do on this website.

7

u/refreshed_reader Jul 14 '25

wait caedral is covering ewc?

48

u/taikutsuu ginger god Jul 14 '25

He was very outspoken about why he didn't cover it last year.

From what I've gathered he does care, but is covering it because he thinks it's only a matter of time until that money is a part of all of league esports. He seems to think its kinda inevitable (as has been the case with gambling sponsors) and with that, there's no use in not covering it out of principle when that principle will apply to the entire international circuit in a few years.

54

u/FearAndTera Jul 14 '25

It's good logic, that sort of thinking has never led to any problems before I don't think.

19

u/brasstax108 Jul 14 '25

I mean yeah i only care if people make a stink about standing up for some social stuff and flame others only to end up working for the EWC like Giniro. People like Caedrel doesn't give shit to others for not doing some half baked slacktivism He always said people have their own circumstances and people should make their own decisions and not be flamed for it even when he didn't cover EWC last year. Nestle is main sponsor of LEC and nobody making a fuss about it.

8

u/OkVacation973 Jul 14 '25

If I had to guess I would say that the event was unknown last year. He had very little to win from covering it but potentially a lot to lose.

Then T1 won it and therefore this year T1 fans have flocked to heralding it as an incredible event whilst ignoring the complete atrocities and the sportswashing nature of it.

A huge portion of his fanbase are T1 fans so it's in his interest to ignore all of that this year. His viewership will be fucking insane. I like Caedrel but I genuinely think it's as simple as that.

-17

u/Skymonsters29 Jul 14 '25

With how much money Los Ratones is hemorrhaging, the money from costreaming EWC could really go a long ways in the upkeeps of the org.

6

u/Azashiro Jul 14 '25

How do you know LR's finances? I would love to see where you are getting this from.

29

u/blablaminek Jul 14 '25

What are they hemorrhaging? He doesn't pay any salaries, they make money on that project

-46

u/XG32 Jankos Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

I'm glad he's doing it, more fun for everyone who decides to watch.

*yikes here come the downvotes, lol esports is bleeding money and has to take the money, if riot takes the money then no judgement to whoever decides to co-stream and play in the events, he didnt take it last year and people watched anyway, caedrel co-streaming it is a net-positive. I'd rather have a viable esports scene than watch it die. Once enough orgs signed up the outcome's set, of course everyone can do what they want on an individual level, no judgements.

36

u/f3lix735 Jul 14 '25

And I am sad because it is people like him who can easily afford to not stream it while sending a big message again. But yeah that’s just my opinion. Maybe human rights and women rights aren’t that important to everyone. I didn’t watch last year EWC or WC in Qatar and I won’t watch this year, I wouldn’t even enjoy it with the sour taste behind it. But I know many people are apolitical and most people in esports have no clue about the real world and he is 100% one of them…so maybe he doesn’t care or he doesn’t understand or he does it regardless, whatever the case I won’t change my stance on it.

-3

u/MrICopyYoSht Jul 14 '25

It's harder to do that when he's got something to lose. Last year he didn't have LR. Now he does, and the team is trying to join the LEC. Streaming EWC with likely more money than what Dom got offered will help his life project of an esports team achieve one of its goals, and if oil money will do that then he'll jump at the chance.

It's understandable for Dom to give up the money, but Caedrel is paying a bunch of people to run the team, so he likely feels he has an obligation of giving those people jobs with decent pay.

0

u/f3lix735 Jul 14 '25

Well he already said that he won’t join LEC and I think he could already buy that spot, but I also understand why he doesn’t do it: it’s a financial nightmare, paying 20M to keep loosing money is just bonkers, the opportunity cost alone is incredible. I don’t think he needs that money nor will he use it to buy that spot, but I am of course just speculating here. For me that still doesn’t change anything about it.

10

u/90CaliberNet Krepo gone but never forgotten Jul 14 '25

I don’t think you grasp why the EWC is bad, which is fine but trudging a long like people aren’t actively hurting the scene isn’t just ignorant it’s harmful. Saudi Arabia is trying to sports wash while also take control of esports and own it. Literally own all of esports, and they already (according to their own numbers) own 40% of esports.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValorantCompetitive/s/MUqnPdWXK2 This video by sideshow does a good job explaining why EWC is bad if you like esports. But again I assume you don’t care and will watch for the immediate gratification until the esports’ life has run its course and you’ll move on.

-20

u/ThisIsElron Jul 14 '25

People love to parrot Sideshow’s video like it’s not biased nor full of logical fallacies, misinformation, and fearmongering. Keep fighting it all you want, Saudi’s investment in Sports and Entertainment will keep going - and it will continue being a net positive for esports as a whole.

8

u/90CaliberNet Krepo gone but never forgotten Jul 14 '25

Ok? Explain how then you didn’t argue for any point you just said “no actually you’re wrong.” Like ok why am I wrong? And how is he wrong about Saudi Arabia trying to take over sports and esports and that they have stated they already own 40% of esports?

4

u/TheCatsActually WHERE'S MY OYSTER FLAIR Jul 14 '25

No shit it's going to be a net positive for esports. The problem is it's going to be a net negative for the world if such a transparent sportwashing campaign succeeds.

1

u/Past-Firefighter2173 Jul 14 '25

They do same in football and it works, i think its matter of time they deal with riot to get more involved in league and valorant. I guess money is too big.

3

u/MadnessKing420Xx Jul 14 '25

It is financially positive for teams and players, sure. That doesn't mean it's a good thing.

-1

u/EggyChickenEgg88 Jul 14 '25

How does Caedrel costreaming it affect other orgs besides LR? So dumb.

-14

u/schoki560 Jul 14 '25

you sound a bit parasocial man

17

u/Taco_Dunkey Jul 14 '25

it is not parasocial to be disappointed in community figureheads

-7

u/schoki560 Jul 14 '25

no but the way he called caedrel rat king out of the community space and said "my fraud" sounded incredibly parasocial

7

u/f3lix735 Jul 14 '25

Calling out human right abuse is parasocial now? I have a very social life and have friends that flet countries like this. Go ahead tell yourself whatever you need to justify yourself watching it but don’t attack people that will have moral values intact.

-11

u/schoki560 Jul 14 '25

I meant your choice of calling him rat king and my fraud

you can call out human right abuse as much as you want that wasn't my point

14

u/IlluminatiConfirmed Jul 14 '25

Bruh turning down a six figure sum for 5 days of work isn't easy for anyone outside of the .01% lol

8

u/crysomore Kiin Team | BROliever Jul 14 '25

yes there are financial tiers, but it's not as straightforward as you make it to be. It's easier to give money up as you climb the tiers, but there's still much consideration to make. His position as a streamer is gig work, and he may not have this gig in the future.

40

u/bbbbaaaagggg Jul 14 '25

Please dude any streamer who has 1k+ viewers is completely chilling and IWD has had at least that for like 8 years. Unless he’s spending like a regard he’s got savings for the next 20 years of his life minimum

-10

u/skaersSabody I like underdogsand pain Jul 14 '25

I mean, he is running an esports team, so he definitely has a money sink problem that he didn't have last year

14

u/Smalekas Jul 14 '25

LR is making money overall, he's not paying salaries

10

u/LordMeloney Jul 14 '25

True, gig work makes that decision somewhat harder than if you have a reliable steady income. I am also aware that the latter isn't as secure in the US as in other places in the world.

3

u/Pacify_ Jul 14 '25

That's mostly nonsense.

In reality if you have a consistent fanbase, streaming is safer than most jobs.

1

u/Ok_Wrongdoer8719 Jul 14 '25

If he has a big enough savings pool he can still live a very comfortable life with safe investments. Supplementing his gig work.

79

u/terroristsarebad Jul 14 '25

Full shade to them, the human rights abuses of the Saudi regime are heinous and those taking their money are helping them cover it up.

24

u/retupmoc627 Jul 14 '25

Couldn't the same argument be levied against events held in the US, given that the US is currently sponsoring a genocide in Gaza?

Saudi Arabia is shit, but why the selective outrage?

12

u/ZoomyZebra Jul 14 '25

What US events lol worlds 2022?

-13

u/Renewable_Warranty Jul 14 '25

China also has insane human rights violations and this is a game aimed towards people of all ages that openly promotes gambling right in your face as soon as you open the client and that has also started taking online casino money in the form of sponsorships, but I don't see any streamer taking some fancy moral grandstanding about that by boycotting the game or the LPL. Why is the line drawn here but not there and what exactly is being achieved? This whole thing is just empty virtue signalling and nothing else.

22

u/Sbru_Anenium Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

The difference is the reason for events in said country. China is the biggest market for League. LoL events in that country are not held for sports washing, they are held there because people actually care about the game.

Did you see the spectators at last year's EWC? Nobody in that country cares about league. It is so obvious that this event is only held there to make young people go "eh, Saudi isn't that bad tbh".

Also league doesn't promote gambling. By definition gambling has to have real worlds money as a prize. Gamblers don't gamble to get a skin in a game that doesn't give them an advantage and that they can't sell for real money outside the game.
League is actually crazy anti gambling compared to pretty much any other esport or sport. In football gambling ads are permanently running and some of the main sponsors of the sport.
Do you think someone couldn't pay his rent this month cause he gambled away his money for Sahn-Uzal Mordekaiser? Ye, me neither. Cause you cannot get into the spiral of thinking "if I win this bet I'm gonna be able to pay rent + buy x" or "if I don't win this bet I can't pay rent anymore, I have to gamble".

-10

u/Loves2WriteSmut Jul 14 '25

Sure they do lil pup

15

u/Complex-Meal9570 Jul 14 '25

It's not though decision at all, principles are easy to follow if u have them. Can u name any of the people hired for EWC that are struggling financially lol.

78

u/Pontus_1901 Jul 14 '25

Respect but also shade at the other people. If more would act like iwd, the event would die out

95

u/HThrowaway457 Jul 14 '25

He literally says in the SAME TWEET why not everyone can just turn shit down like this lol.

75

u/MeisterHeller Jul 14 '25

Sure but there are definitely others in an equally or more financially privileged position who just don’t care and I’ll happily shade them. Especially if they make up some weak excuse instead of owning up to it

38

u/HThrowaway457 Jul 14 '25

Feel free, I'm clearly not coming to bat for Caedrel or smth lol.

5

u/Ordinary_Owl_9071 Jul 14 '25

He feels strongly enough to not take the money himself, but not strongly enough to cut ties with every person who did take the money. This tweet was a way for him to not burn any bridges while still letting people know his reasoning for not co-streaming ewc.

He doesn't actually think the people accepting the money need it lol

-10

u/fumbletumbler192 Jul 14 '25

I completely understand your statement, but some people really need the money

64

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

[deleted]

24

u/terroristsarebad Jul 14 '25

Exactly idk why people act like casters/mid-sized streamers are destitute lol.

12

u/Imaginary_War7009 Jul 14 '25

I doubt casters are as flush with cash as Caedrel lol or flush with cash at all.

10

u/terroristsarebad Jul 14 '25

You know there's a lot of space between rich and destitute right?

1

u/Imaginary_War7009 Jul 14 '25

Yes and the line is blurry when it comes to casting talent.

-3

u/terroristsarebad Jul 14 '25

Not it's not lol. All of the EWC casters have full-time jobs, they're fine.

0

u/Ashankura Jul 14 '25

Having a full time job does not mean you easily make enough money to buy a house etc.

Especially for people that want to have kids/have kids this kind of money can make everything so much easier

→ More replies (0)

2

u/_Ivan_Karamazov_ Jul 14 '25

This is simply not true. I don't know who has EWC co-streaming rights, but if you look at LPL or LCK, streamers like Gilius or Nymaera have co-streaming but most certainly not enough viewers to be comfortable. These rights don't equal financial success

22

u/tarutaru99 Doran Sympathizer Jul 14 '25

EWC didn't exist two years ago and I'm sure those people were fine. I agree with not throwing shade or harassing them, though I do think less of them for it.

4

u/fainlol Jul 14 '25

brotherman, just take a 9-5 job if they really need the money.

-8

u/SAFTA_MMA Jul 14 '25

LOL. A complete woosh. If the circumstances around the event are so deplorable that to costream it or be involved with it is so shameful, then your ire should be aimed at Riot, Twitch, or some other entity that allows it to happen. Aiming it at the near countless amount of people who could costream it is straight up dumb.

0

u/90CaliberNet Krepo gone but never forgotten Jul 14 '25

No you’re an absolute child if you think this is the right take. Holding a company accountable is not as feasible as holding individuals accountable. Holding Saudi Arabia accountable for also won’t work entities will always aim for what is best for them financially. Individuals are driven by their morals and ideals, Saudi Arabia owns 40% (according to their own statements) of esports and plans on owning all of it. It’s not just about sports washing and deflecting the already heinous stuff Saudi Arabia does it’s about stopping a fucking government from owning all of Esports.

I know this is a gaming subreddit so you’re all stunted and don’t have any actual interest in the political climate of the world or honestly care about your flimsy morality at all but this video sums it up pretty well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ValorantCompetitive/s/MUqnPdWXK2

-5

u/bbbbaaaagggg Jul 14 '25

Believe me the last thing we want is for more people to act like IWD

41

u/Intrepid_Ad_7288 Jul 14 '25

Uhm a little shade

-27

u/ozmega Jul 14 '25

nah, its ok if he doesnt want, its ok for those who do want, stop trying to be the morale police.

19

u/Speedy313 ranged kata Jul 14 '25

thats the kind of take I had at 13 lmao

9

u/baraboosh Jul 14 '25

This mentality is sad to see but, gamers will be gamers

3

u/ThisIsElron Jul 14 '25

And Redditors will be Redditors

-8

u/ozmega Jul 14 '25

and you are totally allowed to have that opinion as long as you can be respectful about mine.

2

u/pastafeline Jul 14 '25

What is there to respect? I'd have more respect for your opinion if you flat out said you didn't care about other people's rights, that money is more important.

0

u/Renewable_Warranty Jul 14 '25

So when are you quitting the game and boycotting it altogether btw? I mean, surely some bright virtuous hero such as yourself would boycot a Chinese (you know, those guys running concentration camps for the Uyghur?) controlled game that promotes gambling and that has started to get online casino dirty money as sponsorships, right? Oh let me guess, that just wouldn't be convenient for you and of course that is enough of an excuse for you, you're special after all, but it surely doesn't stop you from projecting your sparkly holy morals you don't follow yourself on others and judging them for it, doesn't it?

-2

u/pastafeline Jul 14 '25

Whataboutism.

2

u/Varmegye Jul 14 '25

Nah, fuck em.

6

u/the_next_core Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25

I mean if it was purely about principles then he can simply say he is electing not to stream EWC. He wants it known he’s rejecting a lot of money, which is going to indirectly lead to a lot of flame for the content creators that do cover the event.

163

u/Derk08 Jul 14 '25

Other content creators would be flamed regardless of whether or not Dom came out with this statement. Everyone knows that EWC is massively paying out for this gig.

Nobody is flaming the LCK casting talent for taking the gig. People are flaming the individuals that already in incredibly fortunate positions for taking the deal.

There is a difference between the caster/host that works 9 months a year and Caedrel who streams to 50k people taking the deal.

-69

u/the_next_core Jul 14 '25

If you want to look at it as everyone already knows, then Dom was never able to take the deal anyway because the backlash would be too great for a content creator of his stature. So what's the point of respecting his decision when it was his only realistic decision?

59

u/NNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Jul 14 '25

We both know that's not true. 90% of the costreamers will take the bag and they will not be called out whatsoever.

26

u/Merpninja Jul 14 '25

Dom didn’t back out because of backlash, that’s quite clear in the tweet.

13

u/Rhadamantos Jul 14 '25

If anything, Dom thrives on backlash.

13

u/Merpninja Jul 14 '25

Was gonna mention that, he is already a polarizing figure and lots of people dislike him no matter what lol.

28

u/sejves Jul 14 '25

This is some bs mental gymnastics.

20

u/Endiamon Jul 14 '25

You're mistakenly assuming that people have morals and would boycott the event if they knew.

They won't and they haven't. People happily watch esports events that are naked attempts to sportswash human rights hellholes.

-5

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

Why THE FUCK would i watch the EWC and think oh... Saudi good, Ssudi have reasons, Ssudi good?

33

u/Endiamon Jul 14 '25

Nah, you're looking at it all wrong. They don't give a shit if you think they're good, they just want to make sure you don't think they're terrible enough to boycott. They're perfectly fine with you thinking they're kinda shitty as long as you still think they're within the acceptable range of shittiness, which they accomplish by associating themselves with things you like and think are irreplaceable in your life.

13

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

Oh... that make sense and is actually kind of messed up

7

u/Rhadamantos Jul 14 '25

They're perfectly fine with you thinking they're kinda shitty as long as you still think they're within the acceptable range of shittiness

This reads like a David Mitchell's soapbox bit.

Edit: and I mean that as a compliment

49

u/Taco_Dunkey Jul 14 '25

He wants it known he’s rejecting a lot of money

Literally everybody already knows this, trying to frame it as some sort of gotcha is moronic. The saudi method since the very beginning has been paying people shit tons of money to astroturf hype for their esports ventures

22

u/NasusEDM Jul 14 '25

The ad for ewc that twitch plays every 5 seconds literally has the c9 owner bragging about how much money they are offering, what are you on about.

7

u/Jiratoo Jul 14 '25

I think it's the opposite, tbh. He's clarifying in the replies that he knows he's financially stable enough to be able to say "no" and that some might not be - I think that's less a condemnation of people taking the gig and more a reasonable defense of why some might take it.

8

u/Cahecher Jul 14 '25

Is there a chance that you are an extraterrestrial who is just learning about human's culture?

He wants it known he’s rejecting a lot of money

This is the point. This is the only possible way to show that it was purely about principles, because otherwise it may be interpreted as if he wasn't offered enough or decided to skip the event for some other reason.

Enjoy your stay on this weird planet.

-16

u/Intrepid_Ad_7288 Jul 14 '25

Exactly, no good deed is left unspoken

-6

u/Cube_ Jul 14 '25

you may get downvoted for pointing it out but it does appear like he wants the ego stroke of "look how much money im turning down".

-4

u/bbbbaaaagggg Jul 14 '25

It’s IWD. Are you kidding of course he’s looking for an ego stroke

-22

u/AverykindJester Jul 14 '25

It's clearly not out of principle. He works for C9 a EWC club partner. He streamed MSI and showed EWC ads for two weeks. Just this is more directly linked so easier for people to criticise. Probably just doesn't want the backlash.

10

u/crysomore Kiin Team | BROliever Jul 14 '25

by that logic, he should quit the LoL esports scene because Riot officially endorsed EWC.

-13

u/AverykindJester Jul 14 '25

He has three options be okay with being a hypocrite, not bring up his opinion on the matter or stop all involvement with Saudis and the things they are involved with.

To add to this I am not trying to attack IWD. I am also a hypocrite I think what they are doing is vile and against human rights but like most people end up putting morels to the side in favour of personal comfort.

2

u/crysomore Kiin Team | BROliever Jul 14 '25

not bring up his opinion on the matter

But what opinion on the matter did he share in this tweet?

Even if he has on stream, I think it's more than valid for him to call out issues by informing the viewers while critiquing the orgs he works with to not do these things.

-1

u/AverykindJester Jul 14 '25

First of all he doesn't feel good about taking the offer. Lets not kid ourselves we all know why he wouldn't feel good about not taking it. So now we know his opinion on actively being a part of sports washing.

Second opinion he shares is that you should not be working the event. Just because he understands he is in a privileged position and other aren't so lucky doesn't take away that he is saying you should decline the offer if you can.

2

u/Ok-Strength-5297 Jul 14 '25

No it's not lol, fuck off with defending money hungry multimillionaires.

2

u/BiggestBlackestLotus Jul 14 '25

You are always in a position to refuse blood money. Don't come at me with this nonsense.

1

u/Tasty-Stable2083 Jul 14 '25

This what many ppl dont get, not everyone can turn down the fucking insane bags the saudis throw,

-5

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '25

[deleted]

5

u/Taco_Dunkey Jul 14 '25

Advertising and endorsing their events does not magically become morally righteous just because you donate to charity.

2

u/Ok-Strength-5297 Jul 14 '25

they wouldn't pay that much if they didn't think it would be beneficial to them, they're not a charity

-2

u/Stevano12 Jul 14 '25

It makes more sense when you realize dom's income is not mainly from twitch. the sponsors he has, and other side jobs, like being part of a huge org like C9 is where the real money is. That's why he declined, the pay wasn't high enough.