TL;DR: Chetan “Chet” Singh violated Riot Games Global Esports Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the “Global Code of Conduct”) for broadcasting VoDs whose access was contingent on current status as head coach of a VCT team. His access to the content was unauthorized, and its distribution on July 31, 2024, constituted a breach of proprietary information. He did not secure permission from Riot Games, NRG, and the other teams involved prior to broadcasting publicly inaccessible VoDs and communications to his personal channels.
Consequently, Chet is suspended effective immediately and continuing through the end of Masters Bangkok [March 3, 2025].
On July 31, 2024, Chet publicly broadcasted confidential videos on demand (“VoDs”) while on a live Twitch stream. The VoDs in question are considered confidential and only made available to players and organizations for competitive use and as approved by Riot Games. This content of earlier NRG matches included team communications (e.g., communication between players, coaches and referees during the matches), all of which are considered confidential.
In light of the above, Riot Games opened formal disciplinary proceedings against Chet. Chet was provided the opportunity to submit a written statement which was received and taken into consideration by Riot.
Esports Professionals involved in Riot-sanctioned leagues must abide by the Global Code of Conduct and additional rules and regulations set out for the respective league or event-specific competition in which they participate in. In particular, the below provisions are relevant to the present case:
3.21 Confidential Information. Esports Professionals may have access to information that is confidential to Riot Games or one of its affiliates or that is competitively sensitive. Examples of such confidential information may include (a) team lineups, (b) team strategy, (c) the results of pre-recorded matches that are broadcast or streamed to audiences at a later date, (d) information that is embargoed pending a “reveal”, and (e) information Esports Professionals gain access to during investigations or disciplinary proceedings. Esports Professionals may not deliver/leak Riot confidential or non-public information to others or use it for any purpose other than competing in Riot Games esports competitions. Similarly, Esports Professionals may not request or facilitate any such provision of confidential or non-public information, whether for their own gain or for the gain of others.
4.10 Team Sanctions and the Role of Team Leadership. If a particular Riot game title is played by teams, the team may be subject to disciplinary action based on the conduct of its Esports Professionals. A team’s owners, coaches, and managers may be held to a higher standard of conduct, given their important role in setting an example for others and helping to create and maintain a positive esports ecosystem.
After conducting a thorough investigation and providing Chet with the opportunity to respond, Riot Games determined breaches of the following provisions:
Article 3.21 (Confidential Information) of the Global Code of Conduct for broadcasting team VODs which were not available to the general public.
Article 4.10 (Team Sanctions and the Role of Team Leadership) of the Global Code of Conduct for failure to maintain a high standard of conduct when engaging in a public broadcast of team VODs. Through this action, Chet failed to uphold the integrity and expectations required of leadership roles, as well as the goal of fostering a positive esports ecosystem.
Riot Games took into consideration the specific circumstances of this case, the seriousness of the offenses committed, as well as all aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The below summarizes Riot’s most relevant findings only.
The specific VoDs streamed were stored in a private, password-protected system and have never been shared in their entirety with the public, as they included communications involving players, coaches, and referees during competition. While Riot and the Organizations may use clips from prior matches, all public usage must be reviewed and approved to ensure that no sensitive information or other confidential elements are inadvertently broadcasted. Additionally, the broadcast of the VoDs occurred close in time to the competitive season when it is reasonable to presume the information held in a secure system would be deemed confidential without prior authorization.
Esports Professionals involved in Riot-sanctioned leagues are required to abide by the regulations set out in the Code of Conduct. Riot Games expects all Esports Professionals to handle confidential information appropriately. Failing to preserve confidential, non-public information can seriously impact the competitive ecosystem, teams, and players. Individuals in positions of authority within an organization are held to a higher standard of conduct. It is the responsibility of owners, coaches, and managers to set an example for others to maintain a positive esports ecosystem.
Due to the nature of the above described violations, Chet is suspended effective immediately and continuing through the end of Masters Bangkok [March 3, 2025].