Just two weeks after a lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard revealed allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and toxicity within the video game company’s ranks, major sponsor brands have begun pumping the brakes on their affiliation with Activision Blizzard’s properties.
Professional esports property Overwatch League, which includes 20 international teams and is owned by one of Activision Blizzard’s largest subsidiaries, Blizzard Entertainment, has seen Coca-Cola, State Farm and T-Mobile all rethink their ties to it in recent days.
Coca-Cola is “aware of the allegations surrounding Activision Blizzard” and is closely monitoring the situation, the beverage giant confirmed in a statement provided to Ad Age, continuing on to say that it will “take a step back for a moment to revisit future plans and programs” with the video game company.
Similarly, State Farm is “in the process of reevaluating our limited marketing relationship with the Overwatch League,” a spokesman for the insurance provider told Ad Age, adding that it has also “requested that no advertisements run during the matches this weekend” while the company considers its next move.
It remains to be seen what brands will appear during the next Overwatch League competition, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET this afternoon as Toronto faces off against London. The Washington Post reports that both Coca-Cola and State Farm ran ads during the league’s matches earlier this week. The matches are shown on YouTube Gaming.