The esports partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia no longer exists. On Thursday, the IOC saying that he and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) have “mutually agreed” to part ways. The breakup comes weeks after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and other investors bought EA for $55 billion.
The IOC and SOPC agreed to a 12-year esports partnership in 2024. At the time, the IOC was reported to be in talks with the publishers of rocket league, street fighter and League of Legends. The two sides discussed holding the e-sports Olympic Games every two years. (The first games were initially scheduled for this year, but were delayed until 2027.) Possible hosts for later deliveries were said to include South Korea and the United States.
Instead, the two sides are now “committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths,” according to the IOC. The organization now plans to “disseminate more widely the opportunities presented by the esports Olympic Games.” He still wants the inaugural games to happen “as soon as possible.”
He AP grades that the dissolution comes seven months into Kristy Coventry’s IOC presidency. We don’t know the details of how the deal fell apart. However, the IOC wants to connect with younger fans through esports, but in a way that “respects Olympic values.” The Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia features MOBAs, shooters and fighting games.
If the IOC wants to project a squeaky-clean image while connecting with young players, it may have an uphill battle. (For the record, games do not lead to violence.)
