Honda Ends Six-Year Sponsorship With Team Liquid After Player Controversy

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In a major surprise for esports fans, Honda has ended its 6-year-long partnership with Team Liquid. This sudden move came after a controversial post by Rainbow Six Siege player Lucas “DiasLucasBR” Dias during the RELOAD 2025 tournament.

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Here’s a simple breakdown of what happened and why this matters.

The Post That Started It All

Team Liquid Statement on Recent Social Media Post by DiasLucasBr

After a game against the Japanese Rainbow Six team CAG Osaka, one of our Rainbow Six players, Lucas “DiasLucasBr” Dias, made a social media post that featured offensive and insensitive content. Lucas made a…

— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) May 19, 2025

Team Liquid lost a match to CAG Osaka, a Japanese team, in the RELOAD 2025 event. Soon after the loss, DiasLucasBR posted an image of an atomic bomb on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post quickly went viral and was heavily criticized by fans, esports professionals, and others online.

Many people found the image offensive and disrespectful, especially considering Japan’s history with atomic bomb attacks. The reaction was fast, with thousands of users reporting the post.

Team Liquid’s Apology and Action

Team Liquid quickly responded to the controversy. The CEO and the team’s official page issued a long apology. They confirmed that:

• DiasLucasBR has been fined four months of his salary
• He will also take sensitivity training
• The team has apologized to CAG Osaka, who accepted the apology
• All of Liquid’s RELOAD 2025 winnings will be donated to charity

These steps were taken to show the team’s commitment to correcting the mistake and standing by their values. But it wasn’t enough to save the partnership with Honda.

Honda Ends the Partnership

Honda posted a clear statement on their official website. The company explained that they were ending the sponsorship because the player’s behavior went against their core values and beliefs. The statement read:

“After much consideration, AHM (American Honda Motor Co.) has decided to terminate its sponsorship agreement with the team in question, deeming the conduct to be incompatible with Honda corporate values and unacceptable.”

Honda had been a major backer of Team Liquid for over six years. Their logo was featured on Liquid’s jerseys, content, and events. This split will definitely be noticeable to fans in future tournaments.

What Happens Next?

For now, DiasLucasBR is still on the team. After four months, he will start receiving his salary again. However, his future in the Rainbow Six Siege scene is unclear. This controversy may have damaged his image within the esports community.

Meanwhile, no other sponsors of Team Liquid have commented on the issue yet. But fans are now watching closely to see if more sponsors take action.

What Makes This Story Big?

This is not just a simple case of one player making a mistake. It shows how one post on social media can affect an entire organization. Here are some key takeaways:

• Esports is now a serious industry, and players must act professionally
• Brand values matter, especially for global companies like Honda
• Teams and players must think before posting online
• Fans expect respect and accountability from top-tier teams

The Bigger Picture

This story is a reminder of how esports has grown. Sponsors like Honda bring big money and attention. But with that comes more responsibility. Players are not just gamers now they are public figures, and their actions online matter.

Team Liquid’s quick apology and punishment show they want to move on, but losing Honda is a big blow. It’s unclear if other sponsors will stay silent or take similar steps.

Also Read: How To Get British MotoGP 2025 Tickets

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