Naz Aletaha, Riot Games’ Global Head of League of Legends Esports, has announced her departure from the company after more than 12 years of dedicated service. Aletaha shared her decision on social media, stating that while she has been on a sabbatical since February 2024, she will remain with the company for a few more months to ensure a smooth transition.
In her announcement, Aletaha expressed her pride in what the team has accomplished during her time at Riot Games. “It’s been an incredible 12.5-year run here at Riot Games, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished as a team,” she wrote. “This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right time for me to explore new horizons. I’ll be taking the next few months to transition the team before leaving the company by the fall.”
Chris Greeley, Riot Games’ Global Head of Strategy for League of Legends Esports, has been leading the division during Aletaha’s sabbatical and will continue in that role for the foreseeable future.
Aletaha began her career at Riot Games in 2012 as the Senior Manager of B2B Payments after leaving Activision. Two years later, she transitioned to the esports division, serving as the Head of Global Esports Partnerships and Business Development for over seven years. In 2021, she was promoted to her current position as Global Head of League of Legends Esports, where she was responsible for creating and executing the vision, strategy, and roadmap for League of Legends esports.
Her contributions to the industry have not gone unnoticed, as she was inducted into Esports Insider’s Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Aletaha has played a pivotal role in shaping the League of Legends esports ecosystem, which has seen significant changes in recent years. These include the LEC’s expansion to the MENA region and the introduction of a three-split structure starting in 2023. Looking ahead, the LCS is set to merge with the CBLOL in 2025 to form a pan-Americas League.
As Aletaha prepares to leave Riot Games, the esports community reflects on her impactful tenure and the legacy she leaves behind in the world of competitive gaming.