Origen Co-Founder David Primo at the Center of Multiple Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Origen Co-Founder David Primo at the Center of Multiple Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Andre Guaraldo

21 Jul, 2025, 23:22

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Last updated: 21 Jul, 2025, 23:30

The competitive gaming world is seeing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct aimed at David “CarvinG” Primo surfacing non-stop. David, co-founder of the once-prominent League of Legends team Origen, now seeshimself in trouble after former pro player Matúš “Neon” Jakubčík recounted troubling experiences from his time with the organization back in 2017, prompting other survivors to come forward with similar testimonies.

These new accounts paint a distressing picture of predatory behavior targeting underage individuals, suggesting a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Evidence, including chat screenshots and detailed testimonies, has been reviewed and published by Esports News UK, amplifying concerns across the industry.

Who Is David Primo?

David Primo co-founded Origen in 2014 alongside legendary Spanish player Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martínez. As a close collaborator and hands-on executive, Primo was pivotal during Origen's rise to international relevance, especially during the 2015 World Championship semifinals run.

Primo's influence extended deeply into team management and recruitment, giving him authority over young, aspiring pro gamers — some of whom were teenagers looking for their big break in esports. After Origen’s acquisition by RFRSH Entertainment and its eventual rebranding into Astralis, Primo faded from the public spotlight, but reportedly maintained connections within the scene.

Esports, particularly at the top levels of League of Legends, is structured around regional leagues — such as the LEC in Europe — where teams compete for international recognition and lucrative contracts. The industry’s rapid growth has outpaced the development of mature HR and safeguarding standards. Young players, often minors, travel extensively, share accommodation with staff, and are thrust into a highly competitive ecosystem while relying on the judgment of coaches, executives, and team owners. This environment can foster unchecked power imbalances, exposing up-and-coming players to exploitation from those holding authority over essential aspects of their careers such as contracts and competitive opportunities.

Origen had its fair share of fame, specially at 2015's Worlds run, when they reached the semifinals (credits: SBNation)
Origen had its fair share of fame, specially during their 2015 Worlds run, where they reached the semifinals (credit: SBNation)

Legacy and the First Warning Signs at Origen

At its peak, Origen held an iconic status in European League of Legends, frequently challenging for titles and drawing a devoted fan base. However, the pressures of competition and internal strife were never far beneath the surface.

Neon’s account placed Primo at the heart of a disturbing episode — an older staff member allegedly propositioning an 18-year-old player inappropriately while sharing hotel accommodations on the European esports circuit. Following this and the emergence of additional alleged victims, community analysis and fresh evidence increasingly pointed to Primo as the source of the behavior Neon described but could not name for legal reasons.

The Primo case underscores persistent vulnerabilities within professional gaming. Esports organizations rarely face the same rigorous scrutiny as traditional sports franchises, with few binding regulations or independent overseeing bodies. As a result, misconduct can slip through the cracks protected by rapid organizational changes, international operations, and, in some cases, a lack of safeguarding protocols. High-profile lawsuits, such as Riot Games’ $100 million gender discrimination settlement in 2021, have surfaced in recent years, but significant gaps remain in the protection of young players, especially at executive and management levels.

Two New Cases After Neon's Accusation

Following Matúš “Neon” Jakubčík’s public account of inappropriate advances during his time at Origen, two more individuals came forward with their own unsettling stories involving David Primo. The first of these new testimonies, provided by a woman who was 17 years old at the time, described receiving sexually explicit messages through X (formerly Twitter) direct messages in 2017.

Despite being informed of her underage status, Primo allegedly persisted, even attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. Screenshots of these exchanges, supplied to Esports News UK, supported her account and highlighted a repeated effort to maintain contact, including the use of alternate “smurf” accounts to evade blocking and detection by others.

A second accuser, who was 16 at the time of her interactions in 2019, reported a sustained pattern of online grooming by Primo via WhatsApp. She recounted how Primo initiated conversations filled with inappropriate personal questions and sexually charged remarks, showing both a disregard for boundaries and a troubling lack of awareness of his previous misconduct — reportedly referencing Neon’s experiences in their discussions. This account was corroborated by WhatsApp screencaps, independently verified by Esports News UK, further solidifying concerns over a broader, disturbing pattern of predatory behavior extending across multiple years and victims.

A Call for Reform

Emerging from the testimonies against Primo is a clear call for systemic change. The esports industry faces urgent pressure to introduce industry-wide safeguarding standards, mandatory background checks, and confidential reporting mechanisms. There is growing consensus that, much like traditional sports, trust in competitive gaming’s future depends on prioritizing the safety and dignity of its youngest and most vulnerable participants. As new voices join those already speaking out, the hope is that the courage of survivors will catalyze overdue reforms, ensuring that no executive or staff member can exploit their position with impunity.

Important: If you have experienced or witnessed misconduct in esports or gaming communities, remember that support is available. Organizations such as The Survivors Trust provide confidential assistance to those affected by abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behavior. Reporting your experience, whether directly to authorities, through support organizations, or via independent channels in the esports industry, can help protect others and adds your voice to ongoing efforts for a safer competitive environment. No one should have to face these issues alone, and reaching out can be the first step toward both personal support and meaningful change.


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Feature image credits: Origen

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