Interview with Allyson Gormley: How Riot Games builds the next generation of esports talent

Riot Games and the 1,000 Dreams Fund are expanding their Esports Broadcasting Cadetship in 2026 by welcoming two new students into a paid, three-month program at the Riot Games Remote Broadcast Center (RBC). Designed to build a sustainable talent pipeline, the cadetship gives students hands-on experience, mentorship, and even a grant for a career coach. Esports.gg sat down with Allyson Gormley, the global operations director of esports broadcast and production at Riot Games, for an interview about the program's growth, its real-world impact, and how it shapes the future of the esports industry.

In an exclusive interview with esports.gg, Gormley revealed that Riot Games partnered with the 1,000 Dreams Fund because the organization champions inclusion and creates access beyond traditional career pathways. Gormley said that the cadetship helps dismantle the perception that esports broadcasting is inaccessible, too. Polished, large-scale productions can often discourage aspiring talent. However, the reality is that esports broadcasting has fewer barriers than many may realize.

For example, Gormley recalled how Riot Games built the Dublin RBC by recruiting outside of traditional broadcast pipelines. The company tapped into esports clubs, groups, and simply passionate folks who love gaming to do this. Riot Games then trained them for observer and replay roles while also helping traditional broadcast professionals adapt to esports production.

"So we were able to teach them how to use this piece of replay hardware called an EVS, but they already came with the gameplay knowledge," she said. "Now, there was plenty on the flip side that we took from traditional broadcasts and taught them the esports and gaming side of things as well. But I think there's not as many barriers as you would think. If you've got a great attitude, a hunger to learn, and are really passionate about either of those things, I would always say that there's definitely an opportunity within this space."

According to Gormley, students in the Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship rotate through various departments to gain experience. For example, they may spend time in engineering, media asset management, graphics, replay operations, and production control rooms. They may also observe and assist directors while learning live broadcast workflows.

Students typically spend several days to a week in each department to understand the day-to-day operations, and while doing all of this, they're learning soft skills. To Gormley, soft skills are vital when working with others in high-pressure environments.

"This is not just us picking any department and saying, 'Oh, we think we should put them in here,'" Gormley told esports.gg. "It's very much planned in terms of where we need to see growth, where we think that it would be feasible for them either to be successful for a possible role in the future. But it also will see them walk away from the cadetship with certifications and skills in certain tools that we use in that department."

That is, this year's iteration of the Riot Games Esports Broadcasting Cadetship lets students walk away with Amazon Web Services (AWS) certifications.

"So for this year coming throughout their cadetship, they will be doing certifications in AWS. So both in a lot of the tools we use -- they will leave with that. It's transferable and they can bring to other future roles as well, which is a real kind of opportunity because we all know when you're in a job, learning on the job is not stereotypical [since] usually, you get the job based on you having all this experience and whatnot," Gormley explained.

Gormley then revealed that the students in Seattle will soon get early exposure to the Masters 1 broadcast for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT). They will also get to start a week before the event begins and observe production. After the event, the students will continue hands-on work during rehearsals and load-ins for about four weeks. They will gain experience through the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) as well.

Gormley recalled how two students worked on the VCT Game Changers event set in Berlin, Germany back in 2024. Seeing the behind the scenes helped them connect their broadcast work to what happens in front of the camera. In the end, they both gained a deeper appreciation for esports production and the work that goes into every broadcast.

The two students also benefited from an open and supportive learning environment at the RBC. Both experienced staff members and beginners shared knowledge and offered extra guidance on non-show days.

"The other thing we do a lot of in the RBC is we do a lot of cross training. So whilst you might be an expert or a advanced level of proficiency in the likes of EBS, which is the replay, we like then to turn around to them like, 'Okay. Let's teach you a new skill. Come over and let's teach you how to use the TD to be the TD position switching on a board,'" Gormley said, referring to the Amazon EventBridge service and the technical director role.

She continued, "So whilst everybody's definitely got somewhere where they're more comfortable, we are, all the time, cross training people into different departments. So everybody's always learning, [which] creates a really good kind of environment and hunger and collaboration and whatnot across the building."

Gormley then said that in the future, Riot Games hopes to run cadetships in multiple locations simultaneously to meet high demand from applicants. Helping students understand broadcast and esports concepts early lets them see what's possible in the field. Additionally, by intentionally selecting high-caliber, passionate students with the potential to move into longer-term roles after the cadetship, the program signals a bright future for esports broadcasting.

That's all for now. Students who are interested in the cadetship can learn more through its dedicated page.

Stick around on esports.gg for more news, interviews, and updates.