TSM CEO Accused of Inappropriate Workplace Conduct

One of the most prominent leaders in the esports industry is under investigation for workplace misconduct.

English magazine WIRED sources report that current and former esports employees have accused Team SoloMid founder and CEO Andy “Reginald” Dean of verbal abuse and harassment. Riot Games, which runs TSM's League of Legends World Cup series, opened an investigation into Dean's behavior late last year. TSM also confirmed that it launched its own investigation around the same time.

“ We are aware of the allegations against the CEO/owner of TSM. We have engaged the law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP to independently investigate allegations of misconduct against this team leader in accordance with standard rules, ”Riot Games told WIRED by email. Both Riot Games and Dean declined to comment on specific allegations, citing an ongoing investigation process.

Andy Dean, 29, has led the esports organization since 2009 and is known in the esports community under the pseudonym “Reginald”. In 2020, Forbes named TSM the most valuable esports company with a valuation of $ 410 million. The organization changed its official name to TSM FTX last year following a $ 210 million naming rights deal with the Hong Kong cryptocurrency exchange. TSM manages esports teams and has player and streamer contracts spanning Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros. and other popular games with millions of social media followers. Above all, TSM has become synonymous with competitive League of Legends, the largest esports game of all time, attracting an ardent international fan audience.

TSM, based in Southern California, has 51 full-time employees. Several of these employees revealed that they are attracted to TSM because of its high status in the esports world and their personal fandom. Many were disappointed with the alleged "mental abuse" by Andy Dean, according to one current employee. Employees asked for anonymity for fear of career repercussions in the isolated and cohesive world of esports. “ The esports industry is really young and toxic. The relationship between people is manifested in work more than anything else, ”says one of them. Two sources say Andy Dean's close ties to other esports team owners and professionals keep current and former employees or players from being held accountable.

“ He is like a bully who gets away with being a bad person, because he is strong, because people are afraid to confront him. It is in the best interest of the people who work with him to stay out of his way, "League of Legends top player and former TSM teammate Ilian " Doublelift " Pang (formerly known as " Peter ") said publicly.

Four people who have worked with TSM shared with WIRED that a culture of fear prevails in an esports organization. Back in 2013, Andy Dean was known for insulting and yelling at players and employees, they said. According to two sources, he called the employees "stupid" and "useless." Two sources recall how Dean called employees after hours and yelled at them. Several current and former TSM employees say that sometimes Dean made fun of other employees for hours. His tirades were often caused by minor mistakes. On other occasions, he shouted at employees in front of assembled colleagues. One of the former employees recalled Dean saying that he wanted to "teach a lesson" to the man he had publicly berated.

“A normal leader who thinks you are not performing well will give you feedback. At TSM, it's more like, "What you did is trash" or "You're terrible," says one current employee. He also believes that there was a time when Dean made people cry at least once every two weeks.

Current and former employees say Andy Dean's management style contributes to attrition and delay in careers. According to three sources, some employees were held back or withheld from promotions because they feared becoming Dean's direct subordinates. “ It's hard to see a long term future in TSM, although this is something you should look forward to. But full-time employees understand that sooner or later Andy will want to fire them, and this will be some really minor reason to fire them, ”says one of the current employees.

Andy Dean told WIRED via email that he has "extremely high expectations":

“ For myself, I share the same high demands and expectations as the people I work with. I have zero tolerance for inefficiency. I am intense, passionate, determined and tireless in the pursuit of victory - that is my nature. I set the bar very high and when I feel like someone is not doing well, I share that feedback directly. " However, he added that in hindsight, " my vocabulary was at times too harsh and ineffective."

“ I know I need to work on my presentation,” Dean says, “ and I'm working on improving the way I communicate with my team and those around me. I support and fully cooperate with the independent investigations that are already underway and will gladly accept any recommendation from the investigators. " Dean did not comment when asked about the specific actions he took to improve his communication or other behavior.

His behavior has extended to the esports professionals he works with, three sources say. There are several videos on YouTube of Andy Dean arguing with or yelling at players. In one of them, League of Legends player Marcus "Dyrus" Hill broadcasts his game live. Dean calls him "little bitch" and "fucking brat." After defeats, even in the last few years, one of the esportsmen says: " He continued his typical tirades... I saw too many times how he destroyed the trust of people on command, as well as destroyed mine." One former TSM employee says Dean made several players cry. (In March 2021, Riot Games fined Dean $ 5,000 for a tweet to Phillip "Vulcan" Leflamm of rival Cloud9, which the company deemed bad form. Dean accused Leflamm of writing an "ignorant tweet" about the League Championship. Andy Dean later publicly apologized, saying that he “went too far with comments about Vulcan.)

Investigations by TSM and Riot Games began after Ilyang Peng made public accusations in November 2021, sources tell WIRED. Pang is one of the most famous League of Legends players of all time, playing for the TSM League of Legends team from 2015 to 2021. In early November 2021, when Ilyan was leaving TSM, he shared his disdain for Andy Dean on Twitch: “ Honestly, I hate TSM as hell, mostly because of Andy,” he said.

Pang accused Dean of mistreating Hu "SwordArt" Shuo-Chie when he switched to TSM. Dean responded on Reddit, saying of Peng, " Although he is a strong player and a leader within the game, he is really difficult to work with." Two sources said that during the controversy, Dean asked industry peers to publicly vouch for him on Twitter and make positive statements about him and his work. In response, Pang later tweeted that Dean “ stalked and abused people at TSM....... so many people have experienced public humiliation, mental disorders, crying at work. The people in power can get away with whatever seems necessary. " According to a source familiar with the investigation, the North American Players Association spoke with more than a dozen people who say they witnessed or experienced Andy Dean's allegedly abusive behavior, and gave Riot Games many of the names of those affected.

Riot does not work directly with Dean, but as the operator of the League of Legends series of championships and tournaments, the gaming company has different options depending on the results of the investigation. In 2019, Riot Games considered precedent by giving Echo Fox an ultimatum to continue participating in tournaments. After Echo Fox founder and former NBA player Rick Fox accused the shareholder of racism. As a result, Echo Fox sold its slot. A TSM spokesman said the organization also launched its own investigation last year following public accusations against Dean. According to a spokesman, TSM immediately set up an "independent subcommittee" and brought in an external legal counsel and an independent investigator. They also added that the investigation has "full support for Andy."

TSM plans to announce the results of the investigation later this month: “ After our independent investigation has already begun, Riot contacted us and asked to assist in their own independent investigation of complaints involving League of Legends players. Andy and TSM's management have contacted Riot, we are in talks and are fully cooperating with them. "