Kick secures xQc in $100m streaming deal as allegations of workplace misconduct surface
The live streaming platform Kick has signed a record $100m contract with streamer xQc while a former employee has publicly alleged a hostile work environment marked by racial and homophobic slurs.
Kick has signed a $100 million contract with streamer xQc while a former employee has alleged a hostile work environment marked by racial and homophobic slurs via a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2024, according to reports.
Kick has signed streamer xQc to a $100 million live streaming contract, a deal that exceeds LeBron James' $97.1 million Lakers agreement. The agreement marks Kick's most aggressive move yet to challenge established platforms in the live streaming market, where it has pursued new monetisation models and high-profile talent acquisitions. The contract was announced alongside renewed scrutiny of the company’s workplace culture, as a former employee detailed allegations of racial and homophobic slurs in a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2024. The revelations come as Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination charity in football, faces questions over its advocacy role amid broader concerns about discriminatory incidents in the sport. While the platform expands its footprint, the convergence of commercial ambition and organisational scrutiny underscores a pivotal moment for its public standing.
Kick's $100m deal with xQc eclipses LeBron James' Lakers contract
Kick announced a $100 million agreement with streamer xQc, a figure that surpasses LeBron James' $97.1 million Lakers contract. The deal, unveiled as part of Kick's broader push to capture live‑streaming market share and monetize streaming in ways Twitch has not matched, highlights the platform's aggressive expansion. According to reports, the contract exceeds the NBA star's earnings, underscoring the financial stakes for both the streamer and the service. Kick's strategy involves offering high‑profile talent unprecedented compensation while exploring new revenue models for live content. The agreement also surfaces amid heightened scrutiny of the company's workplace culture. A former employee recently alleged a hostile environment with racial and homophobic slurs, posting a YouTube video on June 17, 2024, to detail the claims. Kick has not publicly responded to these allegations.
Former employee alleges racial and homophobic slurs in workplace
A former Kick employee posted a YouTube video on June 17, 2024, describing a hostile work environment where racial and homophobic slurs were used freely. The allegations, which Kick has not publicly addressed, add reputational risk to the company's aggressive expansion. The former employee detailed repeated use of slurs in internal communications and meetings, claiming managers dismissed concerns. Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari will step down after the 2026-27 season, as the organisation calls for tougher sanctions against discrimination in football. The video's release coincides with Kick's high-profile $100 million contract with streamer xQc, a deal that eclipses LeBron James' Lakers earnings and underscores the platform's rapid growth strategy amid mounting scrutiny of its workplace culture in the tech and sports industries.
Discrimination concerns in football and Kick It Out's role
Kick It Out has called for tougher sanctions to address discrimination in football, noting a record high in reported incidents. The organization highlighted the rising number of cases but did not provide specific data points. It cited growing concerns over discriminatory behaviour in the sport, prompting calls for stronger penalties to deter such conduct. Kick It Out continues to advocate for systemic changes to combat racism and homophobia in football, urging governing bodies to take decisive action. According to reports, the group has stressed the need for clearer consequences to uphold inclusive standards across leagues and tournaments.
Physical meaning of 'kick' contrasts with platform's branding
The term kick also denotes a physical strike — a leg movement used in martial arts or by animals such as dogs that kick their hind legs after defecating to disperse scent. These meanings bear no relation to the streaming platform’s services but underscore the word’s semantic breadth. The platform has deliberately adopted the term to signal energy and immediacy, distancing itself from more passive alternatives. This linguistic choice reinforces its brand identity as dynamic and disruptive, even as it courts controversy over workplace culture and competitive ambitions. The contrast between physical action and digital ambition remains stark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the value of Kick's contract with xQc?
Kick's contract with xQc is worth $100 million, which exceeds LeBron James' $97.1 million Lakers deal.
Who is the streamer signed by Kick?
Kick has signed up streamer xQc, whose contract is valued at $100 million, making it one of the largest streaming contracts.
What is Kick It Out and what is its current status?
Kick It Out is an organization focused on addressing discrimination in football. Its chair, Sanjay Bhandari, will step down at the end of the 2026-27 season.
What allegations were made against Kick by a former employee?
A former Kick employee alleged via a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2024, that the company had a hostile work environment with frequent racial and homophobic slurs used freely.
What is the significance of the Traverse theatre show mentioned?
In a show at the Traverse theatre in Edinburgh, a deaf man reintroduced a busker to music by allowing him to feel vibrations through the floor, highlighting an innovative approach to experiencing music.
