G2 Esports is suing Bondly over NFT partnership, here’s why

TL;DR

  • G2 Esports filed $5M lawsuit against Bondly in LA court over failed NFT partnership
  • Bondly allegedly failed to deliver NFT program after receiving rights payment
  • Lawsuit claims deliberate deception and contract breach by blockchain company
  • G2 continues NFT efforts with separate Samurai Army project despite lawsuit
  • Case highlights risks in esports-crypto partnerships and importance of due diligence

European esports powerhouse G2 Esports has initiated legal proceedings against its former NFT partner Bondly, seeking damages exceeding $5 million for alleged contractual breaches and misrepresentation.

The lawsuit was formally submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, detailing how the blockchain technology company Bondly purportedly misled G2 and failed to fulfill critical obligations from their 2021 collaboration agreement. The partnership was established to develop multiple NFT collections tied to G2’s gaming ventures and brand assets.

Legal experts note that such high-stakes lawsuits between esports organizations and technology partners are becoming increasingly common as the industry matures and deals grow more complex.

Legal Battle: G2’s Claims Against Bondly

Court documents reveal G2’s assertion that Bondly demonstrated an inability to execute the negotiated NFT program deliverables. The organization claims Bondly declared they couldn’t produce the promised NFT initiative immediately following the submission of the first invoice for intellectual property rights usage.

When negotiations between the two entities failed to produce a mutually agreeable resolution, Bondly reportedly attempted to void the contract citing alleged non-cooperation from the esports side. This contractual dispute highlights the importance of clear performance metrics in gaming industry partnerships.


G2’s legal filing characterizes Bondly’s actions as calculated deception, accusing the company of making unrealistic promises designed to capitalize on G2’s established brand recognition and extensive fanbase without providing commensurate value in return. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for esports organizations considering similar technology partnerships in emerging digital markets.

Despite the legal confrontation with Bondly, G2 Esports has maintained its commitment to NFT initiatives through the independent launch of its Samurai Army project. This fan engagement platform represents G2’s adaptation of traditional esports fan club models into the digital collectibles space.

Founder Carlos “Ocelote” Rodriguez addressed the awkward situation through social media commentary, employing humor to navigate the public relations challenge. Rodriguez had previously defended the Bondly partnership against criticism from G2 supporters regarding the Binance chain-based NFT collaboration.

https://twitter.com/CarlosR/status/1506313153436659729?s=20&t=TvwOwiBIoq7Oa0kRqCY4pA

In a strategic public relations move, Rodriguez removed his initial endorsement tweet from the partnership announcement period shortly after the lawsuit details entered public discourse. This demonstrates how esports leaders must carefully manage their digital presence during corporate disputes.

Additional information about the dispute will likely emerge as the legal process advances through the court system. The outcome of this case could establish important precedents for future esports and blockchain collaborations.

Industry analysts suggest that successful NFT implementations in gaming require robust technical infrastructure and transparent partnership terms. Organizations should conduct thorough due diligence when selecting technology partners, particularly in rapidly evolving sectors like digital collectibles and blockchain gaming.

The G2-Bondly situation underscores the critical importance of establishing clear deliverables, performance milestones, and accountability mechanisms in gaming partnerships to avoid similar contractual breakdowns.

Action Checklist

  • Verify partner’s technical capabilities and previous project delivery history
  • Establish clear performance metrics and delivery timelines in contracts
  • Include clear termination clauses and dispute resolution procedures
  • Monitor partner performance against established milestones regularly
  • Develop contingency plans for partnership failures or underperformance

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