Esports Team Accused Of Not Paying Its Players

Photo by Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Key Takeaways
- Fog Esports is accused of failing to pay players and staff, with salary delays stretching over two months
- The League of Legends team considered boycotting the EMEA Masters but competed after setting a payment deadline that went unmet
- The case underscores ongoing wage issues in amateur esports, with Fog Esports joining a growing list of organizations facing similar allegations
The esports team, Fog Esports, is facing accusations of failing to pay the salaries of its players and additional staff members.
Players have reportedly attempted to rectify the issue, but the issue has yet to be resolved.
As a result, the organization's League of Legends squad considered boycotting the team ahead of the EMEA Masters.
Missed Payments and EMEA Masters Controversy
According to Sheep Esports, Fog Esports players haven't received a payment in the last two months. This comes after the passing of a deadline that was set by players and the organization.
The League of Legends has considered withdrawing from the EMEA Masters after it set a June 15, 2025, deadline to receive at least one month's salary.
The team did ultimately compete, but no payment has been sent yet.
Gerard "Jayrad" Blasi, the coach of the team, confirmed that this situation was reported to Riot Games' MENA division and Vanguard, the tournament organizer.
Riot Games developed League of Legends.
Jayrad didn't participate in the event due to the organization not resolving this issue.
This is allegedly not the first time this type of issue has risen as former players and members also weren't paid.
The organization has mentioned it would pay one month of compensation, but no timeline has been provided.
Broader Issues and Background on Fog Esports
While Fog Esports is the latest example, this highlights a prevalent issue within amateur esports, as payment disputes persist.
In 2024, the Lionscreed squad, based in the UK, was removed from the NLC following similar allegations. Esports Scotland was criticized publicly for unpaid obligations to players, staff, and teams that competed in its events.
Fog Esports is a Saudi Arabian-based organization. It earned its spot in the EMEA Masters after finishing second in the 2025 Arabian League Spring Playoffs.
Fog Esports also competes in Call of Duty and Overwatch.
Fog Esports has provided no comment regarding this matter.
Richard Janvrin is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He started writing as a teenager before breaking into sports coverage professionally in 2015. From there, he entered the iGaming space in 2018 and has covered numerous aspects, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, legal, and more.
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