” My e-sports team, Xtra Gaming even made me feel wrong for wanting to get what happened to me out to the public.”
XTRA Gaming under the spotlight after member Jeff reveals the organization made him hide his sexual assault story.
Esports org Xtra Gaming is under heavy water after it was revealed they discouraged a member, XTRA Jeff, from sharing his sexual assault story, even suggesting he would have to leave the team if he wanted to go public.
News of the story broke out when XTRA Gaming member Jeff posted a twitlonger titled, #metoo, going into detail about a sexual assault that had happened back on August 7th.
In the twitlonger, it is revealed that he and his close friend were invited to “sirthestar” house to pre-game before an alleged party that was to contain multiple high-level influencers in the gaming industry.
The XTRA member notes he initially traveled from his home in Orange County to Los Angeles because he felt as if the party would be a great networking event. Unfortunately, the night of August 7th would be one that would haunt him nonstop for four months.
After arriving at Sirthestar’s house, Jeff was then peer pressured into drinking copious amounts of alcohol, leaving him heavily intoxicated.
I started dozing off because I was severely under the influence. I texted my friend who again was in the bathroom and told him I felt uncomfortable and didn’t want to be left alone with them. He basically told me to stay aware and to not let them touch me. I knocked out, I woke up in the bed next to Raffy, Carter’s friend. I was naked and had no idea what had happened.
He and his friend were then brought into a bedroom to watch a movie before Jeff passed out and woke up completely naked.
Jeff on XTRA: " They said that I would have to leave the team if I wanted to talk about this publicly"
After the incident, Jeff claims he and his friend went to his sister’s house. There, they were encouraged to go to the hospital for evaluation with the police department.
“I was afraid that nobody would believe me because I’m a man. I felt emasculated and small.” XTRA Jeff shares.
Jeff maintains that he is "beyond embarrassed and defiled" and was scared to come forward with his story in fear of people not believing him.
He then went to his organization, XTRA Gaming, for clarity and help on this situation, to which he was met with a cold shoulder.
“They said that I would have to leave the team if I wanted to talk about this publicly. They said it would look bad on their brand." .
The entire situation left him in a very dark place and states that his passion for gaming was “tainted” after the incident.
“They said that I would have to leave the team if I wanted to talk about this publicly. They said it would look bad on their brand.” Jeff shares in his twitlonger statement. “My friend and I both got scalded and made to feel like it was our fault by the owner of the team. It destroyed me to not have my team which is like family to me back me and be there for me.”
Razer drop partnership with XTRA as more stories come out
The entire situation apparently is not the first time XTRA has left situations like these ignored. Former XTRA Member, ThatGeekAaron, came forward with a similar story. The former member states that the organization ignored his stories of abuse and being homeless.
Since that point, Xtra Gaming has been under fire and have lost their primary sponsorship with Team Razer as a result of the XTRA Jeff situation. Razer has also announced it welcomes all affected players that require support to reach out to them directly.
XTRA Gaming CEO Steps Down after Story goes public
Furthermore, many of its actual members actively left the organization, as revealed in a recording of the organization’s group chat, after the sexual assault reveal.
And hours after Jeff told his story, XTRA founder and CEO, Manny “Sly” Vieites, stepped down from his position. Then tweeting an apology and side of the story.
Xtra CEO Sly: " I take ownership in knowing I could have taken more of an aggressive/public approach to assist our players."
“Earlier today, a video was released, and the way we handled the incident was insensitive and not a reflection of who I am as an individual or what we stand for as an organization.” He states. “I take ownership in knowing I could have taken more of an aggressive/public approach to assist our players and for that, I am deeply sorry.”
The former XTRA CEO then stated that he would take time to “reflect” on the situation and step down from his role as CEO immediately.
After four months of keeping it a secret, news of the XTRA sexual assault is finally reaching the public eye. ThatsSoRaffy and Sir Carter have yet to make a statement at the time of writing.
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