Froskurinn: LEC on-air talent refused to work until NEOM partnership ended
Michael Gray
Updated on March 25, 2026
Several hours after the LEC announced a partnership with Saudi Arabian city development NEOM, the league pulled out of the deal as a result of widespread backlash from the League community, LEC on-air talent, and other Riot employees.
Some people still brought into question the integrity of those who spoke against the NEOM partnership, like LEC caster Indiana “Froskurinn” Black, who voiced her disapproval of the deal on her social media. For example, on the Crackdown podcast, Duncan “Thorin” Shields said he believed the reason why Frosk made the tweets was so that she “[does] not have to do anything.”
I am deeply saddened by the latest Episode of Crackdown where my integrity and principal is called into question through speculation. So, let me clear it up:
The on-air talent declined to appear on broadcast until the deal was revoked.
I did put my fucking job on the line.
— Froskurinn (@Froskurinn) July 30, 2020
In response to these comments, Froskurinn said that she “put her fucking job on the line,” as did multiple other members of the on-air LEC talent crew, because they all refused to appear on the weekend broadcast until the deal was rescinded.
Popular talent like Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, Christy “Ender” Frierson, Laure “Bulii” Valée, and Trevor “Quickshot” Henry echoed the same sentiments, with Quickshot saying that they all raised concerns with Riot and LEC leaders, and were all ready to refuse to work on the show.
We were prepared to refuse to work the show this weekend to demonstrate how strongly we felt on the topic.
I couldn't be more proud of my fellow casters, but also my fellow rioters who all raised their voices to challenge something we did not believe in.
— Trevor Henry (@Quickshot) July 30, 2020
Clearly, the negative response by the public and by Riot’s own employees was strong enough to make the company cancel the partnership with the company, but many other people are still disappointed that the decision was made in the first place.
The 2020 LEC Summer Split will continue this coming weekend on Friday, July 31.
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