When it comes to sports controversies, the ongoing situation between the NBA, Hong Kong, the Houston Rockets and now LeBron James are topping the news headlines. But there’s another sports controversy making headlines for similar circumstances related to Activision Blizzard and the Hong Kong protests.
Video game giant Activision Blizzard reduced the suspension of its Hong Kong-based esports star for the game Hearthstone to six months and will restore all of his prize money, which was initially taken away from him, according to The Washington Post.
Pro Hearthstone player Ng “blitzchung” Wai Chung expressed his support for the protests in Hong Kong. In a post-match interview, Chung wore a gas mask and replied, “Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our age!”
“The specific views expressed by blitzchung were not a factor in the decision we made. I want to be clear: Our relationships in China had no influence on our decision,” said Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack in a statement. “If this had been the opposing viewpoint delivered in the same divisive and deliberate way, we would have felt and acted the same.”
In response, he received a one-year ban from the competition from Blizzard Entertainment, which has a heavy presence in China through its Overwatch League. According to Blizzard, the gamer violated rules of competition by supporting to the protest.
“As you know there are serious protests in my country now,” Blitzchung said in a statement to Inven Global just before the ban was announced. “My call on (the) stream was just another form of participation of the protest that I wish to grab more attention. I put so much effort in that social movement in the past few months, that I sometimes couldn’t focus on preparing my Grandmaster match. I know what my action on (the) stream means. It could cause me lot of trouble, even my personal safety in real life. But I think it’s my duty to say something about the issue.”
Blizzard’s investment in China is comparable to the NBA. The game has its Overwatch league. And Tencent, the Chinese gaming giant, owns 5% stake in Activision Blizzard.
Members of Congress slammed Blizzard for its actions, saying the company succumbed to China’s wants and desires.
Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio bashed the company, saying U.S. companies support China’s efforts against human rights, according to The Hill.
“Recognize what’s happening here. People who don’t live in #China must either self censor or face dismissal & suspensions. China using access to market as leverage to crush free speech globally. Implications of this will be felt long after everyone in U.S. politics today is gone,” tweeted Rubio.
Blizzard employees staged a walkout to protest the ban, too, according to The Daily Beast.
“The action Blizzard took against the player was pretty appalling but not surprising,” a longtime Blizzard employee told The Daily Beast. “Blizzard makes a lot of money in China, but now the company is in this awkward position where we can’t abide by our values.”