Team Liquid loses Honda sponsorship after controversial tweet
Honda has ended its six-year sponsorship with Team Liquid after a player posted a tweet that sparked a major backlash.
The issue began when Lucas ‘DiasLucasBr’ Dias, a Rainbow Six Siege player for Team Liquid, made a post on social media after losing to Japan’s CAG Osaka in the RE:LO:AD tournament.
His post included a GIF of a nuclear explosion, which is a symbol that carries deep pain in Japan due to its past. The post quickly gained traction for being tone-deaf.
Dias deleted the post soon after and apologised on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, May 15. He said the post was a ‘big mistake’ and did not want to hurt or offend anyone. Still, the damage had already been done.
In response, Team Liquid fined Dias four months’ salary. The team also shared that all coaches and players will participate in sensitivity training. The Rainbow Six team added that they will donate all their prize money from the RE:LO:AD event to charity.
Despite these efforts, Honda said the post went against its values. As a result, it has decided not to continue its deal with Team Liquid. The two first teamed up in 2019, with Honda becoming a major sponsor across Team Liquid’s esports divisions.
