The struggles of casting and the loss of Sean Gares for VALORANT

For the third time in three months, Riot Games has controversy regarding broadcast talent.

Sean Gares, one of the most respected minds in the esports industry, announced on social media that he would no longer be accepting commentating opportunities in VALORANT. The news comes after Gares was notified he did not make the talent cut for VALORANT Champions Tour 2022 Masters Stage 1. Notably, Gares is the first prominent broadcasting figure to announce no future dates on a Riot broadcast.

At the start of the year, Marc Robert “Caedrel” Lamont took to Twitter to say that he was unsure of his future in casting League of Legends European Championship games. This was before Riot Games revealed is talent line-up. It is still unsure if Lamont’s status with the broadcast was in question. However, the fan support could have also made a massive difference in his return.

More recent, esports icon Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere took to Twitter to announce that she had not come to an agreement with Riot Games in returning to her hosting duties  — likely a difference in contract terms. She would make her first appearance just a few weeks after campaigning on social media.

Gares is in a much different situation.

He doesn’t have the same history with the company. Coming into VALORANT from the Counter Strike: Global Offensive space, he joins with a different experience and a different set of expectations. Riot Games has been a company that has notoriously rewarded long-term partnerships. Depoortere has partnered with Riot dating way back to when the European League of Legends league was known as the “EU LCS.” And Lamont has the history of being a competitive League of Legends player and was someone tapped by production to develop his craft as an on-air personality.

Despite being widely known in esports, Gares has to build a relationship with the company. Unfortunately for him, he has had to miss dates for incredibly understandable reasons — such as the birth of his child.

His loss is expected to fuel the conversation regarding meritocracy in esports broadcasts. Top names of the esports media have pushed for freelancing opportunities for most talent given pay wage concerns. Notably, this conversation did die down when the Overwatch League signed exclusive deals with talent for high wages. Just putting that out there.

In conventional sports media, this is much of the same. Top names are typically signed to exclusive deals with networks. In recent news, notable commentators Joe Buck and (the man who I will continue to dislike because I am unfortunately a fan of DC sports) Troy Aikman moved to ESPN and are being paid a lot of money to do so.

In esports, talent searches for flexibility. However, this is difficult to accomplish given the amount of investment that typically goes into preparing for a broadcast. Talent also are building out their respective careers outside of commentating — whether it be through partnerships or their individual content.

It is a mismatch in values and opinion. But the broadcast companies are kind of right. Gares is, unfortunately, losing his position to talent that may not be “better” than him but who have been able to meet dates. The best ability is availability. Riot wants fans to be able to see the same names over and over again to establish a connection with the broadcast. And the company has been good about removing talent that may not necessarily develop said connection the fans.

Complaining about Riot’s decision is understandable. But there also needs to be the understanding that Riot has a point.

Riot has become the best in the business with their approach. They aren’t going under anytime soon. By playing with a conservative approach, it has helped build a foundation and a replicable model. And it is why people are joining early. People like working with Riot.

As much as we want to see our favorite names, Riot has a job to do to put together an amazing broadcast. And while we may not think of it immediately, they continue to do so with or without the more “popular names.” It is very easy to forget that Depoortere has been in a part-time role with the LEC.

Broadcast talent will continue to fight for their beliefs. But at some point, the writing on the wall needs to be read. There is a way to improve wages, there is a way to improve security. And not taking the proper steps shouldn’t mean that it is Riot or another company’s fault.

Its probably your agent’s fault.

Fortunately for VALORANT, Gares will still be an active member in the scene. He will still post content, still appear on streams. It is just disappointing that he may not be on the main broadcast. It isn’t a crime, it’s just business.