Except Richard isn't a first-hand party involved here. This is a potentially sensitive event, and I can understand why Riot would want to release it on their own terms rather than someone who wasn't directly involved. Joe and Deman deserve a proper goodbye not marred by drama or suspense from a rumor leak.

The value of journalism isn't in scrambling to get your pay cut by leaking announcements before they happen. Preventing Richard from doing this isn't an attack on quality journalism in esports. Journalism is far better served by something like Reflections, where you get insight you wouldn't otherwise have.

Imo, it's equally petty for Richard to release a private e-mail under the title of "how petty Riot can be," just because he was denied his chance to get a cut on leaking someone else's business that was soon to be communicated anyways. The way it was communicated by Riot was very professional, and it's the best way Joe and Leigh could have parted with Riot.

As for Riot taking advantage of someone, reading it again, it's not as dishonest as made out to be. "(Richard) believes he has a head start and can technically post at any time. With that in mind..."

In other words, Richard put Riot in the position of "I might leak at any time if you don't give me information now, and I won't look like the bad guy either way." Whatever "guarantee" Riot had from Richard that he would hold off, it sounds like it came with some other stipulations that we'll never know.

Given how professional the actual announcement was done, I think it's the best way Joe and Deman could have parted ways with Riot, and I'm glad it wasn't compromised by some leak that leaves the community in anxious, emotional suspense for a few days before the official announcement.