Riot Games Promotes Whalen Rozelle to Head of Global Esports Operations

Riot Games has promoted Whalen Rozelle to Head of Global Esports Operations. The promotion elevates Rozelle, currently serving as Senior Director of Global Esports and Global Head of VALORANT Esports, into a new position created by Riot Games Global Head of Esports John Needham.

Rozelle now will be responsible for providing management, guidance, and mentorship to a diverse global team, creating and implementing new approaches that work toward creating sustainable business practices across each of Riot’s esport product lines LoL Esports, VALORANT esports, Wild Rift Esports, and Organized Play (TFT, LoR and other games). The role is designed to provide high-level management oversight and strategic acumen to regional leagues and personnel for the first time ever in Riot Games history.

“Whalen’s track record leading esports at Riot Games is unmatched, and in this new and expanded role, he will bring all of his experience to help our esports evolve and increase their impact,” says Needham. “Whalen joined Riot at a time when esports was primarily an idea, and he helped build LoL Esports into the world’s leading esport. When we asked him to take on a second challenge with VALORANT esports, he embraced it and the VALORANT Champions Tour was born and is flourishing beyond our expectations. We expect even more from him in the years ahead as he shapes our strategy and operations across numerous Riot esports properties and geographies.”

Over the past year, Riot has continued to expand its impact within the esports industry. Legacy title League of Legends Esports continues its reign as the world’s most-watched esport in its 11th season, with the recently completed Worlds another unequivocal success. VALORANT Esports has enjoyed a banner inaugural season, with the two international Masters events posting some of the highest average minute audience (AMA) among FPS broadcasts this year.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact Riot Games has had in elevating esports into the burgeoning industry that it is today, and I’m thankful for the opportunity over the past nine years to contribute to that growth,” says Rozelle. “There is so much about our community that I love, and that’s what keeps me inspired every day to build the best experience for both our players and fans. I’ve seen first hand the growth, change, and potential that we’ve just begun to scratch the surface at within esports. Bringing joy to a highly engaged global fanbase with a collaborative ‘one team’ operating approach across all of our titles will enable us to continue to push the boundaries of sports and entertainment.”

As Riot continues to expand its footprint in the esports industry, the need for a more unified approach across the global operations of all its esports brands is essential to ensure fans receive the highest quality across all of Riot’s esports product touchpoints. Rozelle will be charged with implementing this strategy across all global regions and territories, ensuring each sport is properly resourced to operate at its highest level in areas such as competitive operations, broadcast, fan engagement, and financial sustainability.

Rozelle will maintain his role overseeing VALORANT Esports until a new global head is identified, a process that he will oversee alongside Needham.