Key advertisers say they are re-evaluating their relationship with the Overwatch League in the wake of California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing lawsuit against Activision Blizzard.
According to new statements acquired by The Washington Post, both Coca-Cola and State Farm, who are two of Overwatch League’s seven sponsors, say they are re-assessing how to move forward with Activision Blizzard’s popular esports league.
In a statement, State Farm says it is “reevaluating our limited marketing relationship with the Overwatch League” and has asked that none of its ads run during the matches this weekend.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola says it is “aware of the allegations surrounding Activision Blizzard” and that is “working with our partners at Blizzard as we take a step back for a moment to revisit future plans and programs,” according to the beverage giant.
Earlier this week it’s been reported that another sponsor, T-Mobile, has pulled its branding from the Overwatch League. But neither the mobile carrier nor Activision Blizzard commented on the matter.
The hesitancy from advertisers comes amid after details of rampant discrimination and harassment against female employees emerged in the CDFEH’s lawsuit. IGN has our own report about the hostile work environment women at Activision Blizzard encountered.
After Activision Blizzard employees staged a walkout in protest, a series of events have occurred. Blizzard president J. Allen Brack stepped down from his position, replaced by new studio co-leads Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also sent a letter to staff apologizing for the initial “tone-deaf” response to the lawsuit and hired law firm WilmerHale to audit the company’s policies.
But this became a point of contention as well and a coalition of Activision Blizzard employees sent Kotick and company leadership a letter rejecting WilmerHale’s appointment as a neutral third-party given the firm’s anti-labor history.
The events around Activision Blizzard are ongoing. Check IGN for all the latest updates on the story.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.