Meyers Leonard faces consequences after anti-Semitic slur during Twitch stream
Incident Overview
Miami Heat power forward and FaZe Clan investor Meyers Leonard sparked widespread condemnation after using an anti-Semitic slur during a March 8 Twitch broadcast. The incident occurred while streaming Call of Duty: Warzone with popular content creators including Symfuhny and former pro player TeePee.
The 29-year-old athlete’s offensive remark came during a heated gaming moment, demonstrating how quickly unmoderated reactions can escalate during live streams.
Leonard abruptly ended the stream after receiving a phone call, though viewers speculated whether this was genuinely from his wife or an intervention from his management team. The deleted VOD and subsequent social media clips created lasting documentation of the incident.
Immediate Fallout
FaZe Clan acted swiftly, releasing an official statement condemning Leonard’s language and terminating their relationship. The esports organization emphasized their stance against hate speech, setting an important precedent for handling similar situations.
A statement from FaZe Clan. pic.twitter.com/ePo1NGEaN5
— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) March 9, 2021
Sponsor Reactions
Multiple sponsors including ORIGIN PC and SCUF Gaming severed ties with Leonard within hours, issuing nearly identical statements about upholding company values. This coordinated response demonstrates how brands now monitor streamer conduct in real-time.
A comment was recently made by Meyers Leonard that does not reflect the values or views of ORIGIN PC. We have decided to cease our working relationship with Meyers as we look into it further.
— ORIGIN PC (@ORIGINPC) March 9, 2021
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Leonard’s Response
Leonard’s belated apology claimed ignorance about the slur’s meaning, pledging to educate himself. However, critics noted this defense highlights the need for mandatory cultural sensitivity training for public figures in gaming spaces.
Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard releases statement apologizing for saying anti-Semitic slur on a livestream: pic.twitter.com/AOi7ZE6nCy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 10, 2021
Platform Consequences
Twitch ultimately banned Leonard’s account, though maintained his partner status—a decision that sparked debate about consistency in platform enforcement. The incident serves as a case study in how quickly offensive content can spread from live streams to mainstream attention.
❌ Twitch Partner “meyersleonard” (@MeyersLeonard) has been banned! ❌https://t.co/enY5whHYZ1#twitch #ban #firstban #partner #twitchpartner 🛠
— StreamerBans (@StreamerBans) March 10, 2021
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