The video game platform eFuse has been the subject of much controversy after the organization hired Patrick Klein, a former coach for the Ohio State women’s basketball team that was forced to step down from his role after being accused of sexual harassment and a slew of NCAA violations. After Klein was hired to be eFuse’s new Chief Strategy Officer, the organization came under fire, which has complicated things for the company as it looks to close a Series B round of funding.
“We are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process for all our staff, and we have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind,” eFuse said in a statement. “We were aware he had resigned from his previous role at Ohio State. Patrick was honest and forthright about his prior resignation; he took responsibility, and he accepted accountability for what happened. Patrick, like all other team members, went through a rigorous interview process, which included a background check and reference checks. We spoke with many individuals at Ohio State and outside the University regarding his resignation… We are confident in the steps and decisions that were made at the time of Patrick’s hire.”
In August of 2019, Klein resigned from his position as the head coach of OSU’s women’s basketball team after being put on administrative leave while the school investigated the accusations levied against him. After finding that Klein had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy and committed several NCAA violations, he was forced to resign in disgrace in a move that was labeled a “retirement in lieu of termination.”
The timing of Klein’s appointment also raises several red flags as the video game industry has struggled to create an inclusive and diverse environment free of harassment and misogyny. In the last year alone, major video game companies like Activision-Blizzard and Riot Games have come under fire due to accusations of having hostile working environments for women.
(All information was provided by The Esports Observer)
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