Caedrel’s Controversial EWC Deal: Big Bucks or Big Mistake?

Look Sports Media – Confirmation that Caedrel will be streaming the Esports World Cup (EWC) League of Legends tournament has ignited a firestorm of debate among fans. The controversy stems not only from the EWC’s well-documented history of alleged "sportswashing," but also from revelations about the substantial financial incentives offered to co-streamers.

Caedrel’s announcement, made during his League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) coverage, confirmed his participation in the EWC, beginning July 16th. While he didn’t specify whether his coverage would be remote or on-site, the news was met with a wave of mixed reactions.

Many fans voiced their disappointment, citing the EWC’s association with Saudi Arabia and its alleged use of the tournament to improve its international image, a practice commonly referred to as sportswashing. The event, directly funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, has faced criticism for censorship of LGBTQ+ imagery and other human rights concerns.

Adding fuel to the fire, Christian "IWDominate" Rivera, a content creator for The Ruddy Sack, revealed he’d been offered a substantial sum – three times his average monthly streaming income – to co-stream the EWC. He declined, stating he couldn’t reconcile the financial incentive with his ethical concerns. This revelation further fueled the debate, highlighting the potential for significant financial influence on streamers’ decisions.

The controversy has spilled over onto social media, with League of Legends and Caedrel fan communities engaging in heated discussions about the ethical implications of supporting the EWC. One community forum even had to moderate discussions due to the intensity of the debate. Critics argue that Caedrel’s participation, regardless of the financial compensation, implicitly endorses the EWC’s alleged human rights abuses.

The EWC’s opening matches on July 16th will feature MSI 2025’s top four teams directly seeded into the playoffs, while eight others will battle it out in the group stage. While Gen.G, the MSI champions, are the betting favorites, the tournament promises intense competition. However, the controversy surrounding Caedrel’s involvement and the EWC’s ethical concerns are likely to overshadow the on-field action for many viewers. The question remains: will the allure of big money outweigh the ethical concerns for other streamers, or will IWDominate’s stance inspire others to prioritize their values over lucrative deals?