Dignitas shifts to paid internships after community backlash over unpaid position
The Controversial Job Listing
Esports powerhouse Dignitas faced immediate criticism when advertising an unpaid internship position for League of Legends team management. The role, posted on February 11, required significant operational responsibilities while expecting candidates to balance the position with their academic schedules.
Dignitas later clarified this was an administrative oversight, confirming all future internships will include proper compensation.
The organization’s spokesperson explained to Dexerto that the unpaid listing didn’t reflect their standard practices. “This was an isolated error in our posting process,” they noted, emphasizing their commitment to fair labor standards in the esports industry.
Industry Backlash and Legal Concerns
The esports community responded swiftly to the unpaid internship revelation. Prominent figures like Akinola Verissimo highlighted the contradiction of a well-funded organization seeking free labor. “When teams have NBA-level backing, unpaid positions become ethically questionable,” the esports host argued.
TSM content producer Cryssylol raised legal concerns, suggesting the position might violate California’s labor laws under the Primary Beneficiary test. This regulation requires that unpaid internships primarily benefit the intern rather than the company.
Dignitas’ Policy Change
Facing mounting criticism, Dignitas announced a complete overhaul of their internship program. The revised policy guarantees compensation for all positions across both Dignitas and parent company New Meta Entertainment.
“Our 12-week program will now include proper wages for the 15-20 weekly hours,” a representative stated. The organization maintained the position’s flexible scheduling to accommodate students while adding expense reimbursement provisions.
Best Practices for Esports Internships
This incident highlights crucial considerations for esports organizations creating internship programs:
- Compensation Compliance: Research local labor laws to ensure internship structures meet legal requirements
- Value Exchange: Design programs that provide genuine educational benefits beyond operational work
- Transparency: Clearly outline expectations, benefits, and compensation in all postings
- Industry Standards: Benchmark against peer organizations’ internship programs
For students considering esports internships, always verify compensation details and evaluate whether the experience aligns with your career goals.
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