Honda Ends Partnership with Team Liquid After Controversial Player Post

Honda Corporation has discontinued its collaboration with Team Liquid following a contentious post on X featuring an image of an atomic bomb explosion, shared by one of the team`s players. Representatives from the American division of the automotive manufacturer indicated that the esports athlete`s publication had the potential to offend the Japanese community.

The incident took place on May 13th. Team Liquid`s Brazilian Rainbow Six Siege roster was defeated by CAG Osaka in the group stage of RE:L0:AD 2025, thereby losing their opportunity to advance to the playoffs. Subsequently, Lucas DiasLucasBr Diaz summarized the team`s performance on X and included a GIF image depicting an atomic bomb detonation in his post.

Shortly thereafter, the post was removed, and the esports player issued an apology to his fans and the Japanese community. Diaz asserted that he had no intention of offending anyone. However, the Brazilian acknowledged that he had selected an inappropriate image, especially considering Team Liquid`s recent loss to a Japanese team, recalling that in 1945, the US Armed Forces dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Club representatives also extended apologies to the Japanese community through an official statement. Team Liquid reported that Diaz personally apologized to the CAG Osaka players, who accepted his apology, noting that they initially did not interpret intentional offense in the Brazilian`s post. Despite this, the organization imposed a fine on DiasLucasBr equivalent to four months` salary. This sum, combined with the team`s prize money from RE:L0:AD 2025, will be donated to charity. Furthermore, all Team Liquid staff and players are required to undergo mandatory media training.

Notwithstanding all the measures implemented by the club, Honda decided against continuing the partnership. Representatives from the American division specified that they acknowledged Team Liquid`s actions but deemed the incident too significant to resume the sponsorship agreements, which had been in place for six years.