- Vince Hill is one of CS:GO’s most influential commentators
- He recently admitted he won’t be working with ESL and FACEIT following their purchase by Savvy Gaming Group
- “I know how dire that puts my position, but I still need to speak for what I believe, I don’t want to be a hypocrite,” he says
Popular Counter-Strike: Global Offensive broadcaster Vince Hill criticizes ESL and FACEIT's merger following the buyout by Saudi-backed organization SGG. He does not want to work with them anymore due to ethical concerns.
Vince Hill Speaks Out
Vince Hill (formerly known as Metuz) is one of professional CS:GO’s most recognizable faces, being one of the game’s most popular broadcasters. The 36-year-old British caster and streamer has a long and rich career, starting his professional pathway back in 2008.
During his time as caster, he has been one of the most outspoken people in the professional CS:GO sphere. In 2020 he criticized BLAST for its partnership with Saudi Arabian development NEOM. That deal was eventually canceled due to community backlash.
However, Hill’s voice is once again being heard, as he is the first caster to admit that he'll no longer work with either ESL or FACEIT, after their buyout by Saudi Savvy Gaming Group. The two tournament organizers, famous for making events for games like CS:GO, League of Legends, and StarCraft 2, will merge following the purchase by the controversial Saudi-backed enterprise.
Why Will Hill No Longer Work with ESL and FACEIT?
Hill posted a short video on YouTube explaining his reasons he does not want to work with the two companies following the acquisition by the Savvy Gaming Group. “I won’t be working with ESL, I won’t be working with DreamHack, I won’t be working with FACEIT,” Hill starts his video stating,” while this money from the Saudi Arabia government through the Savvy Gaming Group continues to be a part of these companies.”
The caster continues by saying he does not feel right receiving money from these companies. He states that this is his own personal decision: “I don’t judge anybody that continues to work with ESL, I don’t judge anybody that is ok with accepting that. That’s purely my decision and my decision alone.”
Hill continues by saying that without the ESL he does not have much left and that it would negatively impact his casting career. “I know how dire that puts my position, but I still need to speak for what I believe, I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
He ends his video by saying he would like to continue working as a caster but admitted his days as a CS:GO commentator might be over soon. He asked people not to start a witch-hunt against people who do not speak against ESL, FACEIT, and Savvy Gaming Group.
Hill’s decision might be influenced by the fact that Saudi Arabia has a notorious reputation when it comes to human rights, specifically when it comes to restrictions on women. Over the last decade, the country is trying to improve its global image. One way to do so is to sponsor various sports events, including esports. This is a practice called sportswashing.
