TL;DR
- TSM founder Andy ‘Reginald’ Dinh received sanctions following bullying and abuse allegations from players including Doublelift
- Riot Games imposed $75,000 fine plus two-year probation with mandatory sensitivity training
- Independent monitor appointed for ongoing oversight of TSM’s League of Legends operations
- This marks a pattern of similar controversies dating back to 2016 CS:GO incidents
- Reginald acknowledged communication issues while denying unlawful behavior

TSM executive Andy “Reginald” Dinh faces significant competitive penalties from Riot Games following extensive workplace misconduct investigations. The sanctions represent one of the most substantial disciplinary actions in recent LCS history against a team executive.
The controversy emerged during the League of Legends off-season when prominent players publicly detailed concerning workplace experiences. These revelations triggered formal inquiries by both Riot Games and TSM’s internal compliance teams.
Industry analysts note this case establishes important precedents for esports organizational accountability. The ruling demonstrates Riot’s commitment to enforcing professional conduct standards across its competitive ecosystem.
Professional player Peng “Doublelift” Yilang initiated the public discourse with detailed accounts of systemic organizational issues. The veteran ADC described what he characterized as persistent bullying behavior that affected multiple team members.
Notable professionals including Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen and Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen were identified as experiencing similar treatment according to multiple sources.
The allegations suggested behavioral patterns rather than isolated incidents, indicating potential cultural issues within TSM’s competitive operations structure.
Common Management Pitfall: Many esports organizations struggle with transitioning from informal gaming communities to professional corporate structures. This case highlights the critical need for established HR protocols and leadership training in rapidly growing gaming enterprises.
Following comprehensive review, Riot Games determined sufficient evidence existed to support findings of inappropriate workplace conduct. The official competitive ruling outlines specific corrective measures and penalties.
TSM organization faces a substantial $75,000 financial penalty for compliance failures. More significantly, Reginald enters a 24-month probation period affecting his involvement across Riot’s gaming titles.
Competitive Ruling: Andy Dinh
Read now at: https://t.co/hwMqbJjZLM pic.twitter.com/fAz5kHUWAe
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) July 13, 2022
League officials emphasized the appointment of an independent oversight monitor who will maintain anonymous reporting channels and conduct regular staff interviews.
The monitoring system represents an innovative approach to esports governance, providing ongoing assessment of organizational culture improvements.
Current allegations follow earlier documented conflicts involving TSM leadership. In 2016, Counter-Strike professional Sean “sgares” Gares publicly disclosed management disputes through social media channels.
.@TSMReginald has told me that TSM is going to replace me due to my connection to the #playersrights letter.https://t.co/Lee3QzDos7
— Sean Gares (@seangares) December 23, 2016
The historical incident centered on player opposition to the Professional Esports Association (PEA) league formation. Escalating tensions resulted in sgares’ removal from the roster, with remaining team members subsequently departing in solidarity.
Industry Context: The esports sector faces unique challenges in establishing consistent professional standards across different game titles and regions.
Investigative procedures combined internal TSM review with Riot Games oversight. Key methodology included extensive interviews with current and former team members across multiple competitive titles.
Reginald disclosed investigation outcomes in May, emphasizing that reviewers found no evidence supporting claims of illegal activities or gender-based discrimination.
However, critics noted the investigation’s scope focused specifically on unlawful conduct rather than broader workplace culture assessment.
Investigation Timeline: The process spanned approximately four months, involving testimony from over a dozen individuals associated with TSM’s competitive operations.
The probation period mandates significant behavioral modifications for Reginald’s management approach. Required sensitivity training and communication coaching represent proactive measures to address identified issues.
Industry observers anticipate this case will influence how other esports organizations implement internal compliance systems and player protection mechanisms.
Strategic Insight: Organizations should establish clear escalation paths for workplace concerns and regular third-party culture assessments to prevent similar situations.
The ruling establishes that professional conduct standards apply equally to ownership and management personnel within Riot’s competitive ecosystem.
Action Checklist
- Establish anonymous reporting systems for workplace concerns
- Implement regular third-party organizational culture assessments
- Develop clear escalation protocols for player and staff grievances
- Provide leadership training focused on professional communication standards
- Create documented standards for player-management interactions
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » LCS issues ruling on TSM Regi abuse, bullying allegations Understanding the LCS sanctions against TSM's Reginald for workplace misconduct and bullying allegations
